Mini Cheesecakes

These aren’t just your average, ordinary cheesecakes–oh no! These little bites of heaven are TO DIE FOR! I came across the recipe from a friend who has become very popular for these little cheesecakes. After her first batch years ago, the desserts have always been requested at parties and gatherings, and to this day she still receives raving compliments from those who have the delight of tasting her delicious creation! One day she decided to pass down the recipe to me, and I’ve had the pleasure of making them multiple times since then to satisfy eager taste-testers that gobble up the cakes almost as quickly as they pop out of the oven!

Ingredients:

• 1 tube (8 count) crescent rolls
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• splash of vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• about 1/4 cup sugar
• pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat over at 350°.  Open the package of rolls and separate/unroll.  In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.  Scoop out little balls of the cream cheese mixture out of the bowl and place onto the rolls.  Roll up and place on a greased cookie sheet, being sure to fold in the sides to prevent the cream cheese from popping out.  In a separate small bowl, mix together remaining sugar, butter, and cinnamon.  Generously drizzle butter mixture over top of the rolls.  Bake for 18-20 minutes, and chill afterwards for about 5-10 minutes.

And there you go!  Scrumptious miniature cheesecakes that will have family and friends eagerly awaiting the next gathering with your soon-to-be famous dish!  Feel free to suggest any additions or substitutions!

Best Ever Apple Crisp

Believe me when I say, this recipe makes the single most DELICIOUS apple crisp in existence!  The warm baked apples mixed with the sugary sweetness of maple syrup and crispy crumbs to top the dish off all blend together to create the yumminess that is this apple crisp–don’t be wary to try this simple and wonderful recipe!

Ingredients (Crumb Topping)

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced into small chunks

Ingredients (Apple Filling)

• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• maple syrup (to taste)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°.  In a medium bowl mix together all crumb topping ingredients with a fork until it clumps together into small crumbs

.

Refrigerate while preparing the apple filling.  In a separate small bowl, mix together melted butter and flour.  Mix in lemon juice, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

Add the diced apples to the bowl and toss and stir mixture until the apples are completely coated.  Pour the apple mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and pat into a single even layer.  Sprinkle the crumb topping over the apples completely and evenly.

Generously drizzle maple syrup over the crumb topping.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool 10 minutes before serving.

And VOILA! The PERFECT and most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G apple crisp in the world is right at your fingertips!…or melting in your mouth, either way you’ve discovered a recipe that will be requested by friends and family for gatherings to come, so get ready to bake!

Recipe adapted from: http://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/2014/10/apple-crisp.html

Honey Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Nuts (aka, “Sweet Nuts”)

Yes, at the sight of snow quickly melting to slush and the sound of birds chirping outside the window, it’s inevitable: Spring is on its way!  However, as the holiday music fades and neighbors finally pack away those twinkling Christmas lights they left up while sleeping off holiday pounds, February suddenly hits, and I’m craving Christmastime once again.  In my denial of the fact that my favorite time of the year has flown by without leaving enough time for me to thoroughly enjoy it, I try desperately every year to recreate the warm, cozy feelings of Christmas with the sweet smells of vanilla and cinnamon baking in the oven.  This year, I’ve stumbled across a recipe that friends, family, and neighbors all absolutely love, a yummy holiday snack that’s easier than you would believe–even its name leaves mouths watering and tummies growling for a sweet treat!

Honey Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Nuts (“Sweet Nuts”)

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg white
• 1-2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 lb mixed nuts (pecans, almonds, and cashews work great!)
• honey (to taste)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 250°.  Whisk together the egg white, vanilla, and water until frothy in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the cinnamon, sugar, and salt.  Pour the nuts into the bowl with the vanilla mixture and toss and stir until nuts are coated.  Add the sugar mixture to the nuts and toss until nuts are completely coated.  Pour the coated nuts into a waxpaper-lined baking sheet and generously drizzle with honey.  Stir the nuts and spread them evenly into a single layer on the pan.  Bake in oven for 1 hour, making sure to stir every 15 minutes.  Let cool until hardened.

Recipe adapted from: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/11/cinnamon-sugared-pecans/