Month: July 2008

Frozen Cheesecake Bites Recipe

natasha Leave a comment

 

cheesecake bites

SERVINGS: 66
METHOD: Freezer

 

TIME: Prep: 1 hour + freezing Bake: 40 min. + freezing

Ingredients:

 

* 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
* 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
* 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 eggs, lightly beaten
* 9 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
* 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
* 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
* 1/2 cup English toffee bits or almond brickle chips, crushed

 

Directions:
Line the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with parchment paper; coat paper and sides of pan with cooking spray. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into prepared pan.

 

Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Cover and freeze overnight.

 

Remove from the freezer and let stand for 30 minutes or until easy to handle. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate with cream; stir until blended. Remove from the heat. Transfer to a bowl; cover and refrigerate until mixture reaches spreading consistency, stirring occasionally.

 

In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and remaining sugar. Using a melon baller, scoop out 1-in. balls of cheesecake; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Top each with a heaping teaspoonful of chocolate mixture. Sprinkle crumb mixture over half of the balls and toffee bits over the remaining balls. Cover and freeze for 2 hours or until firm. Yield: 5-1/2 dozen.
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Mini Doughnuts to End the Day!

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doughnuts

End your celebration with a few oohs (as in diminutive doughnuts) and aahs (as in the delighted response they’re sure to evoke) by passing out these traditional breakfast treats as a dessert with coffee service, either skewered on coffee spoons or set in dainty piles. Any way you serve them, guests are sure to circle back for more.
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File Card Guest Book

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file cards

File this under A for adorable. Instead of a traditional guest book, use cards from an address file. Our set, by Lovely Design, contains handmade ones from vintage papers, so each is wonderfully unique. Set cards on a table with a sign asking friends and family to jot down messages; once they’ve penned their notes, they can file their card alphabetically, leaving you to merely flip through all the warm wishes that range from A to Z.

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Topped Cheesecake Squares

natasha 1 Comment

cheesecake squares

SERVINGS: 9
TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 30 min. + chilling

Ingredients:

 

* 1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
* 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
* 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
* 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
* CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRIES:
* 2 ounces dark chocolate candy bar
* 3 fresh strawberries
* 1 square (1 ounce) white baking chocolate
* CARAMEL TOPPING:
* 6 caramels
* 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
* Whipped cream
* 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted
* BERRY TOPPING:
* 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
* 6 fresh raspberries
* 6 fresh blackberries
* 6 fresh blueberries

 

Directions:
In a bowl, combine crumbs and butter. Press firmly onto the bottom of an 8-in. square baking dish. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and 2/3 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the almond extract.

 

Pour over crust. Bake at 325° for 45-55 minutes or until set.

 

Cool for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, and remaining sugar and vanilla. Spread over filling; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.

 

In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt candy bar at 50% power; stir until smooth. Dip bottoms of strawberries in chocolate and place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet to set. Microwave white chocolate, uncovered, at 50% power until melted; stir until smooth. Drizzle over strawberries. Refrigerate until serving.

 

Just before serving, cut cheesecake into nine squares. Place chocolate strawberries on three cheesecake squares.

 

For caramel topping, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine caramels and cream. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds, stirring once. Spoon over three cheesecake squares. Top with a dollop of whipped cream; sprinkle with almonds.

 

For berry topping, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine jam and berries. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 45 seconds, stirring once. Spoon over remaining squares. Yield: 9 servings.

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Cascading Beauty~Ceremony Decorations

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Are you looking for an elegant way to dress up your wedding ceremony? Then try using some off these beautiful ideas. Hang garland garnished with flowers from the alter or entryway to make an elegant statement. Take advantage of first impressions and hang wreaths from the doors of the entrance way. It will add a special touch that will set the theme of your wedding from first glance. If you are trying to dress up the isle way or chairs, add flowers hanging from baskets or in a beautiful arrangement. The options are simply endless!

 

things that hang

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Rosemary Sea Salt Favor

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salt

Use rosemary, an herb of love and remembrance, to preserve memories of your seaside wedding. Guests can take home this fragrant sea salt to sprinkle over potatoes or use as an ingredient in focaccia. After preparing, decant into airtight containers, and label with your new, shared initial and wedding date.

 

Rosemary Sea Salt Recipe
Makes 8 cups

 

This herb-infused salt is fragrant and can be substituted for unseasoned salt in any savory recipe.

Tools and Materials
1 three-pound box kosher salt (about 8 cups)
Bunches fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish

Rosemary Sea Salt How-To
1. In a large, high-sided saute pan, combine salt and rosemary. Place over medium heat, and warm through, about 10 minutes. Transfer salt and rosemary mixture to a container. Let cool 5 minutes, uncovered; then cover with an airtight lid. Let stand at least overnight.

 

2. When ready to fill containers, discard old rosemary. Fill desired containers with salt, and garnish top with a fresh sprig of rosemary; seal containers.

 

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Personalize Your Table Numbers

natasha

Who says that you have to do traditional numbers for your table numbers? Table numbers are just another small detail that you can personalize. If you or your fiancé are woodworkers, design the numbers yourself. You could also write out the numbers instead of the traditional numerals. Pictures are another great option. Take your engagement pictures and customize them for your tables or take a pic of your precious little pouch. Another option is to name the tables after local attractions in your city. You could also use special places you and your fiancé have been to instead of numbers. Your wedding theme can also be carried out to your table numbers. For example, if you are having a beach themed wedding then name the tables things such as starfish, seashells, etc. Whatever option you choose, have it reflect your wedding and your tastes and it is sure to be a hit!

table numbers

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