Mini No Bake Cheescakes!

Growing up, my mom let us pick what kind of cake we wanted each birthday.

I remember both my brother and dad requesting her cheesecake almost every year.

This cheesecake wasn't a typical cheesecake, but instead more of a cheese pie.

And the best part is that it's not even baked, so that makes things even easier!

While brainstorming dessert ideas to make and share on the blog,

I remembered this cheesecake and how delicious it was,

so I decided to make it myself, but put my own little spin on it!

Instead of making one big no bake cheesecake, I made eight mini ones.

Making cheesecake can be a little intimidating,

but like I already said - this isn't your typical cheesecake

and you don't even have to put it in the oven!!!

Now let me show you how to make these babies.

The Goods:

Mini Graham Cracker Crusts

Cream Cheese Block

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Lemon Juice

Vanilla Extract

Cherry Pie Topping

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft and fluffy.

Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well.

Now add your lemon juice...

And vanilla extract, then mix once again.

Pour the cheesecake mixture into the mini graham cracker crusts.

Chill in refrigerator at least three hours, until cheesecake is set.

It's delicious as a plain cheesecake...

But I personally prefer it with some cherry pie topping!

Mini No Bake Cheesecake

8 Mini Graham Cracker Crusts

8 Ounce Cream Cheese Block

14 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/3 Cup Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Can Cherry Pie Topping

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft and fluffy.
2. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
3. Now add the lemon juice and vanilla extract, then mix once again.
4. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the mini graham cracker crusts.
5. Chill in refrigerator at least three hours, until cheesecake is set.
6. Eat either plain or with some kind of yummy topping. 

Strawberry Shortcake Push-Up Pops

I recently had the honor of making some tasty treats

for one of my best friend's baby showers!

Her sister and mom were planning everything 

and I offered to make something sweet!

After a little discussion, we decided on...

Strawberry Shortcake Push-Up Pops!

I've never made ANY version of a Push-Up Pop, 

but I've done my fair share of baking so I said "YES!"

I mean, how hard could it really be???

They didn't look that hard to make,

And a little extra work for such a great friend is worth it!

Keep reading to find out how the beauties above were made.

The Goods:

Boxed Pound Cake

Fresh Strawberries

Powdered Sugar

Whipping Cream

Vanilla

Eggs

Butter

Cream Cheese

Now before you start to freak out...

Yes, that is A LOT of ingredients in the picture above.

But it's everything that's needed to make FOUR times the original recipe. 

Why four times you ask?

The original recipe (found below) makes about a dozen, 

but I needed a total of 50, yes FIFTY, Push-Up Pops! 

Make the pound cake layer.

Combine cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/2 Cup butter.

Spread into a greased jelly roll pan and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/4 butter and soften cream cheese in microwave.

Beat cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, melted butter and vanilla

until fluffy - about three to five minutes.

Pour over pound cake mixture in pan, spreading to the edges.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

And done!

Cool cake completely.

Cut into circles with open end of push-up pop container.

Also, cut the same number of little squares using remaining cake.

Assemble your push-up pops,

and put them in the stands!

(Post on homemade stands coming soon!!)

When ready to make pops,

cut up fresh strawberries

and make some yummy whipped cream!

Assemble your Push-Up Pops!

Put a circle cake on the bottom of the pop,

then a layer of whipped cream and strawberries.

Now comes a little square of cake and of course,

more whipped cream and strawberries!!

That's it!!!

Put on the tops and cute little stickers and you're DONE!

With the mama to be!

These babies were a BIG hit and I can't wait to make them again.

And even try making a different kind of Push-Up Pop too!

Now for the recipe...

The recipe I used was found in the book, Push-up Pops.

But because I'm me, I modified the recipe just SLIGHTLY!

3/4 Cup butter, divided

1 box pound cake mix

4 eggs - room temp, divided

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

2 Cups powdered sugar

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Pints fresh strawberries

whipped cream - fresh or canned

To make the cake:

Combine cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/2 Cup butter.

Spread into a greased jelly roll pan and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/4 butter and soften cream cheese in microwave.

Beat cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, melted butter and vanilla

until fluffy - about three to five minutes.

Pour over pound cake mixture in pan, spreading to the edges.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool cake completely.

Cut into circles with open end of push-up pop container.

Also, cut the same number of little squares using remaining cake.

To assemble your Push-Up Pops:

Put a circle cake on the bottom of the pop,

then a layer of whipped cream and strawberries.

Next add a little square of cake and some more 

whipped cream and strawberries!

Thanksgiving 2013

As I mentioned in this post, I wasn't going to be hosting again this year - but instead would be spending the day with some of my family a few hours South of Los Angeles. Even though I wasn't making the whole dinner, I offered to make a thing or two and was assigned an appetizer and a dessert.

And because I'm me, I made one additional little goodie too! 

I knew almost immediately what appetizer I wanted to make, but deciding on a dessert took a little more thought. My amazing brother is the one that gave me the great idea, but I put my own twist on it! 

So what all did I make?!?!

Curious aren't ya?

Okay...I'll tell you!!

I made...

Bacon Wrapped Bleu Cheese Stuffed Dates!

YUMMMM! These are SO good and I can never get enough. These little suckers even converted a couple people who weren't fans of bleu cheese or dates!!! They are so easy to make, super tasty and I'd absolutely consider them a success at Thanksgiving this year.

And my brother - he suggested a Pumpkin Cheesecake, which sounded great!

But I like mini/individual treats, so I made...

MINI Pumpkin Cheesecakes!
They had an amazing gingersnap crust and weren't too pumpkin-y. Just right in my opinion.

Now what about that other little treat?

Oh right...

These cute little things...

Peanut Butter Ritz Sandwich and Hersey Kiss Acorns!
A friend showed me a link with them around Halloween and I couldn't resist!! I made a batch for work earlier in the week and they were devoured. I knew then that I had to make some more to take for Thanksgiving!

After I finished getting everything prepped or made, I decided I should take a lil gift for the person hosting this year's Thanksgiving. I kept if festive and made the gift instead of purchased it!

Wondering again what I made???

I made...

Flower Bouquets in Mini Pumpkins!
(Look for a post about these real soon!!!)

How cute are these???

I was originally only going to make one for the host, but I had enough flowers so I made one for my grandma and a close friend too! I think they turned out great and I can totally see myself making these again!

An Easter Feast!

This year wasn't the first time I spent Easter away from my family, but this year WAS the first year I decided to make myself my own Easter Feast!

Ever since I spent the first Easter away from my family, I've wanted to recreate an Easter "Dinner". And I say "Dinner" because to be honest, in my family Easter "Dinner" was always closer to 2PM.  To me - that's more of an Easter LUNCH! Does anyone else's family do this? And why don't we just call it what it is?!? Anyway... since I wanted to recreate an Easter Dinner, I decided it only made sense to serve it at a normal dinnertime! :) 

Elina, my favorite cooking partner and one of my best friends, helped me make the amazing feast! I've cooked an entire Thanksgiving Dinner, so I knew I could do this alone too, but let me tell you - Elina made it so much easier! It wouldn't have been the same without her!

Now that I've told you all about the feast, take a look at all the yummy food we got to enjoy!

Started it off the afternoon with some Mimosas! 

Piping the filling in the Deviled Eggs.

Garnished and waiting to be devoured. 

The Ham before putting it in the oven. 

Starting the Au Gratin Potatoes.

Carrots peeled and trimmed.

Mini Cheesecakes waiting to be topped with fruit!

The Finished Ham!

Almost time to eat...

YUMMMMM - Time to dig in!!!

Strawberry and Blackberry topped cheesecakes.

The entire dinner was DELICIOUS, but the ham was by far the BEST ham I have ever had. And it's even amazing as leftovers too! I can't take full credit for how tasty it was because we followed this recipe.