Home Maid Simple

Category: Desserts

  • Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake

    Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake

    Recipe for Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake was provided by Walkers Shortbread. All opinions are my own. 

    Top this Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake with chocolate, pomegranates, and some Walkers Festive Stars for an irresistible holiday treat. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and purchase through them.

    Serve up this festive Walker's Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake at your next holiday party.

    Doesn’t that look delicious?! I think I could look at this cheesecake all day, but we eventually had to cut into it and see just how it tasted. I was really nervous with this recipe. This recipe is unlike any cheesecakes I’ve made before. When reading through the recipe, I felt it was more a custard/tart then cheesecake. However, it is the name given, so we won’t change that. 

    Chef Darren McGrady, a former chef for Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, is now working with Walkers Shortbread to create seasonal recipes to dress up your holiday table. This Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake is just one of the many he’s created to pair with the delicious buttery shortbread cookies from Walkers. 

    Walkers Shortbread cookies make a fantastic crust for tarts, pies, and cheesecake!

    I’ve been a big fan of using items other than graham crackers for my cheesecake crusts. From sugar cookie dough to Thin Mints, the crust can really shine in a cheesecake if you let it. Walkers shortbread cookies are just another fantastic find for my cheesecake making forays. 

    I made a few adjustments to my version of the Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake. For one, we don’t do alcohol in this house, so I exchanged the Creme to Menthe for Peppermint Extract. Instead of milk chocolate shavings, I went with semi-sweet. And the last change, I used 2 packages of the Festive Stars for the crust, instead of Walkers Shortbread Fingers. 

    Walkers mini festive stars are the perfect dessert topper, and crust maker for your holidays

    Even with the changes, I got great reviews from the adults. The kids were a little less appreciative of the flavors, but truly enjoyed the beauty of this dessert as much as everyone else has. So enjoy, and if you give it a try, let me know!

    Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake
    Serves 8
    A creamy mint tart topped with chocolate shavings and pomegranates
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    Ingredients
    1. 3 – 4.4.oz pack Walkers mini festive stars
    2. 6 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
    3. 4 egg yolks
    4. 2 tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
    5. 2/3 cup granulated sugar
    6. 4 egg whites
    7. 2 packets unflavored powdered gelatin
    8. 2 Tbs cold water
    9. 1 ½ cups heavy cream
    10. 4oz semisweet chocolate, grated
    11. 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
    Instructions
    1. Pulse 2 packages Walkers mini festive stars in a food processor until coarse.
    2. Place in a large bowl and stir in the melted butter.
    3. Pack firmly into the bottom of a 9inch tart pan and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
    4. Place the yolks, peppermint extract and sugar into the top pan of a double boiler.
    5. Boil water in the bottom of the boiler, and place the top pan on top. Whisk consistently for about 2 minutes.
    6. Remove from the heat and continue whisking until the mixture is cold.
    7. Soften the gelatin in 2 TBS water in a small pan and place over a low heat to warm and dissolve the gelatin.
    8. Whisk the gelatin into the egg mixture. Set aside.
    9. Whip the egg whites until stiff.
    10. Fold into the egg mixture.
    11. Spoon onto the biscuit base and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firmly set.
    12. Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until stiff. Spread on top of the set egg mix.
    13. Decorate tart with grated chocolate, pomegranate seeds and lat package of Walkers mini festive stars.
    Notes
    1. If you find it difficult to fold the egg white into the egg/gelatin mixture, go ahead and use the electric beater. It won’t be as fluffy, but I found this extremely difficult to “fold” in.
    Adapted from Walkers Shortbread
    Adapted from Walkers Shortbread
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

    Walkers Mint Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake is the perfect festive dessert this holiday season.

     

     


  • Peppermint Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups

    Peppermint Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups

    Sugar cookies, cheesecake, and a delicious hint of Peppermint – what could be better than combining them all into a Peppermint Cheesecake Sugar cookie cup? That’s what I thought too. 

    peppermint Cheesecake Cookie Cups

    When Minerva Dairy reached out to me and asked if I had a fantastic cookie recipe to share, I had to think about it. I make cookies. Often from a recipe I’ve pulled somewhere else, but I do make them. Then I remembered about a year ago I took my favorite sugar cookie recipe and formed them into these little cookie cups, and filled them with cheesecake. The kids and adults went crazy for them, and couldn’t stop sneaking cookies when no one was looking. 

    With the holidays upon us, I couldn’t help but recreate them again only this time using peppermint as the flavor to usher in the holidays. It helped that my neighbor also gifted me some mint extract she was no longer going to use, and I had also just picked up a large bucket of soft mints to fill the candy jar. 

    Peppermint Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups

    When making these cookies, the most difficult part is getting the cookie to smoosh down in the center to form the cup. I’m sure there are many tools in your kitchen you could find to fit perfectly, but in my kitchen, it’s the handle of my lemon juicer. Dip it in powdered sugar then begin smooshing. It will most likely take a couple of dips to get through the whole pan, but you’ll end up with beautiful cookie cups. 

    Easily make cookie cups in a mini muffin pan

    Check out more cookie recipes in Minerva’s Great Cookie Exchange and vote for your favorite! One voter will win a years supply of Minerva’s Amish Roll Butter. That means you don’t even have to do the work of making the cookies, you just have to go vote! 

    Peppermint Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups
    Sugar cookies formed into a cup, filled with a Peppermint Cheesecake are perfect for the holiday season.
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 bag Sugar Cookie Mix
    2. 1 egg
    3. 1/2 cup butter, softened
    4. 8oz cream cheese, softened
    5. 1TBS whipping cream
    6. 3TBS Sugar
    7. 1tsp Lemon Juice
    8. 1/4 tsp Mint extract
    9. 1/4 cup crushed Peppermints
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
    2. In a medium bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, egg, and butter.
    3. Form dough into 1inch balls, and place in a greased mini muffin pan.
    4. Using the back of a spoon, or other rounded object, smoosh dough down to create cups.
    5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges begin to lightly brown.
    6. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove from pan and finish cooling on a cooling rack.
    7. In a medium mixing bowl combine cream cheese, cream, sugar, lemon juice and mint extract.
    8. Fold in crushed peppermints.
    9. Fill cooled cookies with cheesecake mixture.
    10. Top with extra crushed peppermints and enjoy
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    A big thanks to Minerva Dairy for inviting me to join in their Great Cookie Exchange!


  • Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake with Pumpkin Glaze

    Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake with Pumpkin Glaze

    It’s all about the pumpkins this season. If you have a family party to go to coming up, this Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake would be the perfect dessert to bring. Covered in a Pumpkin Glaze, you’ll please every pumpkin spice lover out there. 

    Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake Related: 40+ Pumpkin Recipes, Crafts, and Party Ideas

    In this house, we’re a little mixed on the pumpkin spice craze. Mark loves a good pumpkin cake, but I could easily go without this seemingly favorite fall treat. I’m perfectly OK adding pumpkin to other delicious treats, though. Desserts like Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake. 

    Now, I really had no reason to make a cake this week, other then I hadn’t baked much for a while. The kids have probably been feeling a tad deprived of their after-school treats as I usually sent them to the kitchen for a cup of water or a handful of carrots. The situation needed to be rectified. 

    Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake Recipe Related: Carmelized Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Mark had the day off, so we decided it would be a good day to carve pumpkins after school with the kids and enjoy some Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake. In Mark’s words “It is good, delicious, delectable, a perfect combination.”

    I originally thought I’d frost the cake with an orange frosting, but as I got going decided a Pumpkin Glaze would enhance the flavors more. Of course, an orange frosting would allow for a fun jack o’lantern fall look, you really ought to try the pumpkin glaze. All it takes are 2 simple ingredients! Some powdered sugar and Torani Pumpkin Pie sauce. 

    pumpkin-bundt-slice

    Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake with Pumpkin Glaze
    Serves 8
    A delicious medley of fudgy chocolate and pumpkin covered in a Pumpkin Glaze
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    Prep Time
    15 min
    Cook Time
    40 min
    Total Time
    55 min
    Prep Time
    15 min
    Cook Time
    40 min
    Total Time
    55 min
    Ingredients
    1. 2 cups Flour
    2. 1 3/4 cups Sugar
    3. 1 tsp Baking Powder
    4. 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
    5. 1/4 tsp salt
    6. 1 1/3 cup Water
    7. 1/2 cup Lard
    8. 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
    9. 1/2 cup Pumpkin Pie Mix
    10. 2.5 oz Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
    11. Pumpkin Glaze
    12. 1 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
    13. 10 TBS Torani Pumpkin Pie Spice Sauce
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
    2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
    3. Add water, lard, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
    4. Add in pumpkin and melted chocolate. Continue mixing until full combined.
    5. Grease bundt pan.
    6. Pour cake mix into pan, and bake for 40-45 minutes until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
    7. Cool.
    8. For Pumpkin Glaze
    9. Whisk together powdered sugar and pumpkin sauce until desired consistency. Pour over cooled bundt cake.
    Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book
    Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    If you truly love pumpkin, you may want to whip up some of this Creamy Pumpkin Hot Cocoa to go with your Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake. 

    Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake with Pumpkin Glaze recipe



     

  • Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

    Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

    Fall is here, and I can’t help myself! I have to get apples and bake with them. It’s the one thing on my fall bucket list every year. Enjoy this easy Apple Crisp recipe to kick off your fall bucket list. 

    Start your fall bucket list with a check mark by this easy apple crisp recipe.

    While my in-laws were visiting, we’ve had plenty of late night family gatherings. Since we almost always do these at my brother in laws home, I figured I could at least contribute to the night and bring a yummy dessert. Apples were on my mind, and I know it’s a fruit all my kids and niece and nephews will eat – so an apple crisp made perfect sense. 

    Apple crisp that is finger licking good!

    There was not a bite left over of this delicious apple dessert. If you ask my niece it was pan-licking good! She almost followed me out the door trying to get one last taste of the already devoured apple crisp. This apple crisp I think was a bit creamier than normal apple crisp with the addition of evaporated milk to the mix instead of regular milk. But why don’t you make it and let me know!

     

    Easy Apple Crisp
    Serves 14
    Easy pan licking good Apple Crisp. Taste fall in your mouth.
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    For the topping
    1. 1 cup flour
    2. 1 cup old fashioned oats
    3. 1/2 cup SPLENDA Brown Sugar Mix
    4. 1 tsp baking powder
    5. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    6. dash of salt
    7. 2/3 cup salted butter, cut into small bits
    For the Apple Filling
    1. 5 large Granny Smith apples, sliced
    2. 6 Tbsp saltd butter, melted
    3. 4 Tbsp flour
    4. A squirt of Lime juice
    5. 4 Tbsp evaporated milk
    6. 1 tsp vanilla extract
    7. 1/2 cup brown sugar
    8. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    Instructions
    1. Preheat the oven to 375 F
    2. Combine flour, oats, SPLENDA, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Refrigerate.
    3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, flour, lime, evaporated milk, vanilla, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
    4. Toss apple slices in mixture to coat.
    5. Spread in a 9X13 pan.
    6. Crumble oat topping over the apple mix.
    7. Bake for 33 minutes. Remove and allow to cool
    Adapted from Tastes Better From Scratch
    Adapted from Tastes Better From Scratch
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Next up on the bucket list – apple picking with the kids! It’s another fall must do for me, followed swiftly by a drive to see the beauty of the fall leaves changing colors. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find this season to be a bit magical.

    What’s on your fall bucket list?

    Check out this post on the many health benefits of apples. I knew there was a good reason to like this fruit!

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    Add the flavors of spring to this decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake. With a secret ingredient, this cake goes from good to amazing! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and purchase through them.

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    It all started when our Relief Society celebrated it’s 174th birthday back in March. As a committee, we decided to serve up bundt cakes. I thought for sure I was going to be in trouble because years ago I threw out my bundt pan because no matter what I did the cake always stuck inside. I agreed to make a cake, though and left with a few pointers for getting the whole cake out. 

    Chocolate covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    First, I hit up Pinterest and found this recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake at Baked in Arizona. I couldn’t pass it up! Next, I had to find a new bundt pan. We were browsing birthday gifts for Mark at Kroger one day, when would you believe it – Bundt pans were on a BOGO free sale! Someone knew I needed to make a bundt cake, and they must have known you’d like a chance at winning one too! So make sure you scroll down after the recipe and grab your entries to this giveaway!

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    When I flipped that cake over and it actually came out I most definitely did a happy dance and squealed like a little girl. Who knew you had to let the cake completely cool first? OK, that’s not all I did but hang on for the next tip. First, I have to tell you about this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake. After we enjoyed the White Chocolate Raspberry Cake, my sister in law turns to me and says “Too bad you couldn’t make it a cheesecake bundt cake”. 

    Oh, she knows me so well! That got my wheels turning, and thanks to a not-so-secret ingredient, that’s exactly what this Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake is! Well, at least as close as you can probably get to making a cheesecake in a bundt pan. The secret? Cheesecake flavored pudding!

    Cake Decorating Supplies

    2 Tips for Removing a Bundt Cake from the pan successfully

    1. You must let it cool completely! I always thought just until it’s warm was good enough. NOPE! Let that cake sit for a few hours until it’s completely cool to the touch. Time to learn a little patience. 
    2. Mix 1 TBS vegetable oil, 1 TBS shortening, and 1 TBS flour. Using a pastry brush, brush the mixture all over the pan, taking special care to get in all the grooves. I’ve tried finding where I got this tip from, and the video seems to have disappeared. This has worked like a charm, and so much better than greasing and flouring.

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake
    A decadent bundt cake filled with the flavors of spring and covered in chocolate
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
    2. 2 3.4oz boxes Cheesecake Flavored Pudding Mix
    3. 4 large eggs
    4. 1/2 cup Water
    5. 1/2 cup Oil
    6. 12oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, separated
    7. 21 oz can Strawberry/Rhubarb pie filling
    8. 4oz cream cheese
    9. 2 TBS butter
    10. 1 cup powdered sugar
    11. 1 tsp chocolate exrtract
    12. 6-8 strawberries
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 325° F.
    2. Mix together cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and oil. Set aside.
    3. Chop 1 cup of chocolate chips. Mix into the cake batter.
    4. Pour 1/3 batter into bundt pan.
    5. Layer 1/2 the pie filling.
    6. Repeat until cake batter and pie filling are all in pan.
    7. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
    8. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips in the microwave. Set aside to cool.
    9. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate extract until smooth.
    10. Add melted chocolate and beat until smooth.
    11. Set aside.
    12. Melt the last 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Dip whole strawberries in and set aside to cool and harden.
    13. When cake is done, top with frosting, and chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy
    Notes
    1. Grease bundt pan with a mixture of 1:1:1 mixture of oil, shortening, and flour. Let cake cool completely before removing from pan.
    Adapted from Baked in Arizona
    Adapted from Baked in Arizona
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

     

    Giveaway

    Since I can’t physically send you this delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake, I’ll be sending one of you a brand new bundt pan so you can make it yourself! 

    Giveaway open to US 18+ Ends  5/31/16

     

  • Orange Sorbet Pots of Gold

    Orange Sorbet Pots of Gold

    Originally posted March 16, 2012
    Recipe and photos updated
     
    Celebrate St Patricks with delicious Pots of Gold made from Orange Sorbet and orange peel cups. Top with a rainbow for a real treat the kids love.
    Turn Orange Sorbet into individual pots of gold for St Patricks Day
    Tomorrow is St Patricks Day! Growing up it was never a huge holiday around our house. My mom would make green eggs and ham, and if we felt like it, we would wear green. Having the last name Greene, though, we usually got away with telling people we always wore the color.  Since having kids, though, I’ve really gotten into celebrating even the smallest of holidays – my college roommate also absolutely adores St Pat’s day, so it grew on me.
      Follow the rainbow to a delicious pot of gold Orange Sorbet
    When I originally made these 4 years ago for my baby shower I used little green cups and didn’t take any photos. While recently going through old posts and trying to clean up the site for a better reader experience I came across it. Perfect timing! The kids were thrilled to come home from school yesterday to these little pots of gold. Scatter the snack tray with Chocolate Gold Coins, and the kids really had a blast!
     
    Orange Sorbet
    Follow the rainbow to these pots of gold. Orange Sorbet served in orange cups make a delicious spring treat
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 cup water
    2. 1/2 cup sugar
    3. 2 cups fresh orange juice
    Instructions
    1. Mix the water and sugar in a pot on the stove. Simmer for 15 minutes to make a sugar water. Remove from heat and let it cool.
    2. Add the orange juice, and mix well.
    3. Chill for about 1 hour in the fridge.
    4. Now, if you have an ice cream maker you can use that per the instructions for your machine.
    5. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, just pop your mixture in the freezer. Every 30 minutes or so, give it a good stir. After about 2-3 hours it should be a pretty good frozen state for serving.
    Adapted from The Idea Room
    Adapted from The Idea Room
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

     

    To turn this Orange Sorbet into little pots of gold for the Leprechauns, serve it up in half an orange peel. Top it off with some Rainbow Candy.

    Need more St Patricks decor? Make this easy Coffee Filter Wreath!

    St Patricks Coffee Filter Wreath

  • Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Night with Drac’s Monster S’mores

    Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Night with Drac’s Monster S’mores

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeItAMovieNight #CollectiveBias

    Hotel Transylvania 2 is now available on Blu-Ray DVD, and I couldn’t be more excited! This movie night party set up is easy to put together, and something the whole family will enjoy while viewing your new movie. 

    Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Night #MakeItAMovieNight ad

    While supplies last (and only until 2/2/2016) when you buy Hotel Transylvania 2, Orville Redenbacher 6 pack movie theater popcorn, M&M’S® Chocolate Candies, and Coca-Cola 6-pack, 1/2 liter at Walmart you’ll receive a $10 Vudu code. Snap a picture of your receipt then upload the picture to get your code emailed. Offer is limited to 1 per person. 

    It’s the perfect deal to get started planning your next movie night! For now though, let me show you how we’ll be viewing Hotel Transylvania 2. 

    Hotel Transylvania 2 #MakeItAMovieNight ad

    We started with a drink. Sprite is our families favorite choice of drink, and we recalled that the Invisible Man always seems to be holding one drink or another. So I printed out some Glasses, and used photo adhesives to attach them to the Sprite caps. 

    Invisible Man Drink Station for Hotel Transylvania 2 #MakeItAMovieNight ad

    Aren’t those just a blast? I can’t take full credit for this idea though. It was all the kids. I think their new favorite thing to do is walk through the store with me coming up with movie night ideas. 

    I knew movie night would probably be around the same time as dinner, so we can all get to bed at a decent hour (especially on a school night like today!), so I wrapped hot dogs in crescent roll dough and baked up a Mummy dinner. Classic, but fits in perfectly with the Hotel Transylvania 2 theme. 

    The star of the show however, and our snacks is Dracula! “Blah blah blah”. In the movie Drac takes his grandson to a Vampire camp to inspire him to be more vampire. I can’t help but think S’mores and Popcorn when I see camping. Being the middle of winter though, we had to do some improvising. Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater popcorn is our families favorite with the perfect amount of butter. Add in some toasted marshmallows, and chocolate and you’ve got a S’mores popcorn treat. I wanted this to be all about the Drac though, so we sorted out some red M&M’S® chocolate candies to mix in, and give a little hint of the Drac’s favorite meal.

    Drac's Monster S'mores Popcorn #MakeItAMovieNight #ad

    Drac’s Monster S’mores Popcorn
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    Ingredients
    1. 2 bags Orville Redenbacher’s Movie Theater Popcorn
    2. Jumbo Marshmallows
    3. Red M&M’S chocolate candies
    4. 1-2 TBS butter
    Instructions
    1. Pop the popcorn in your microwave. Careful to follow directions so as not to burn it.
    2. Pour out into a large serving dish, and set aside.
    3. Preheat oven to 450 F.
    4. Place butter in an oven safe pan, and place inside the preheating oven.
    5. Cut marshmallows in half lengthwise.
    6. Place inside the preheated, buttered pan.
    7. Place pan back in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them.
    8. Once they start browning, pull them out.
    9. Pour toasted marshmallows on top of the popcorn.
    10. Sprinkle with M&M’S® and let cool.
    11. Once cool, serve and enjoy your movie!
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

      Drac's Monster S'mores #MakeItAMovieNight #ad

    To serve up Drac’s special treat I printed out these Coffin templates to make our own treat bowls. It really adds a nice touch that the whole family enjoys. 

    Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie night at Walmart #MakeItAMovieNight #ad

    So what are you waiting for! Head out and grab your copy of Hotel Transylvania 2 today, and don’t forget the snacks! You can find everything you need at Walmart.

    What are your favorite movie night snacks? Check out these other fun movie night ideas and don’t forget the VUDU offer!

  • Blueberry Cheesecake

    Blueberry Cheesecake

    This post is sponsored. Product was exchanged for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

    I LOVE cheesecake. You all knew that by now though I’m sure. It’s the one recipe I make, and make well. When I was given the assignment to bring dessert to Thanksgiving this week, of course Cheesecake was the first thing on the menu! Thanks to a fun blueberry picking outing earlier this year, this quickly became a Blueberry Cheesecake. 

    Blueberry Cheesecake

    When we moved here, I didn’t realize just how much Mark’s family was going to love my cheesecake. While I normally make 2 or 3 a year, I’ve now made about 3 or 4 in the last 5 months! I can’t blame them of course, rather I rejoice. After cutting into the Blueberry Cheesecake last Thursday Mark’s nephew sat and just stared at it – hoping for a second piece, but knowing he had to wait for everyone else to get dessert. 

    While talking with my sister-in-law’s friend who joined us for the Thanksgiving feast,  she told me cheesecake is hard to make – or at least sounds intimidating. I used to think the same thing! Then I started making it, and found it’s really not all that bad. Truth be told, I actually find no-bake cheesecakes to be a little harder to get right. I’ve had some that were more like a pudding then a cake. My baked cheesecakes on the other hand, always turn out.  

     

    To make cheesecake even easier, I got a new pan from The Love Cooking Company. The Push Pan is similar to a spring form pan, but without the spring. With a silicone lined removable base, taking the cheesecake out of the pan was so simple. You can watch me do it in the slideshow above! Ahh, how cool was that, huh?

    Enjoy this recipe for Blueberry Cheesecake. Make sure to share it with your friends!

    Blueberry Cheesecake
    Serves 8
    Easy Blueberry Cheesecake with a Shortbread crust you can wow your family and friends with
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    Cook Time
    45 min
    Cook Time
    45 min
    Ingredients
    1. Crust
    2. 1 package Shortbread Cookies (or about 16 cookies)
    3. 5 TBS Butter, melted
    4. Cheesecake
    5. 2 packages Cream Cheese
    6. 1 cup Sugar
    7. 2 Eggs
    8. Blueberry Topping
    9. 2 cups Frozen Blueberries
    10. 3 TBS water
    11. 1/4 cup Sugar
    12. 1/2 of 1 lemon, squeezed
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 F
    2. Crush the shortbread cookies, and mix with the melted butter. Press down into your pan and up the sides. Set aside.
    3. Mix cream cheese, sugar until smooth. Add eggs, and continue to beat until smooth. Pour on top of the shortbread crust. Bake for 45 minutes.
    4. While Cheesecake is baking, make your blueberry topping. Combine 1 cup blueberries, water, sugar and lemon in a medium saucepan. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring periodically. Add 2nd cup of blueberries, and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
    5. Let cheesecake cool and top with blueberry topping.
    Notes
    1. Bring cream cheese to room temp to get a smooth cheesecake filling.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Pin it for later! Blueberry Cheesecake

  • Sweet Potato Pie: a Family Tradition

    Sweet Potato Pie: a Family Tradition

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it’s advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SplendaHoliday #CollectiveBias

    Ah the holidays! A time for family gatherings, traditions, and of course good food! All my family memories seem to revolve around food this time of year, but unlike as a child, I’m actually now a bit more concerned about how much sweet things I consume this time of year. I’ve decided I need to cut back on my sugar intake again, but without giving up the things I like most – like pie! I tested out Splenda® in a Sweet Potato this weekend, and loved it! I think you will too.

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #Ad

    What exactly makes this a family tradition? I don’t actually make Sweet Potato Pie everywhere, but I may very well start after this one. No this tradition stems from the recipes themselves. It all started with my Grandma. She made the absolute BEST pies I’ve ever had. She taught herself how while living on a Ranch and cooking for all the ranch hands. Every year for the holidays, Grandma’s main job in the kitchen were the pies. I’m still trying to perfect her recipe, because she had no recipe. Her two keys to me for a perfect crust were 

    • Always use Lard. Crisco is no lard – buy LARD!
    • Mix with your hands. You have to feel the dough to know when it’s ready.

    I’ve got the lard figured out, but getting the right feel is still a work in progress for me, and not something I can ever really share, because you just have to know what it feels like. I completely understand now why she didn’t have a recipe. 

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #ad

    Grandma’s Lard Pie Crust
    Yields 1
    The best pie crusts are made with Lard.
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 1/2 cups Flour
    2. 1/2 cup Lard
    3. Cold Water
    Instructions
    1. Using your hands, mix the flour and lard until coarse crumbles form.
    2. Slowly add a TBS of cold water at a time until the dough holds together in ball form.
    3. Form a ball, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
    4. Roll out, and place in pie plate.
    5. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     Part 2 of this family tradition was inspired from Mark. He loves sweet potatoes and over the years has gotten me to enjoy them as well. I don’t know why I didn’t as a child, because they are so full of flavor and have a beautiful color. Combining Mark’s love of Sweet Potatoes with my Grandma’s pie just makes sense to me. Now Sweet Potatoes are naturally sweet, but when making a pie, you always need a little sugar. That’s where the Splenda® Sweet Swaps™ came to life for me. I can still eat my pie, while making a more balanced decision for my health.

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #Ad

    When trading our sugar for Splenda® you only use half the amount the recipe calls for. That makes me feel pretty awesome! Did you know that the average Amercian consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day? That’s a LOT! In fact it’s triple the recommended amount for women and double for men. I’ve done a limited sugar diet before, and I can tell you it makes a difference! I had more energy, and overall personally felt better with the less sugar. 

    Check out the Splenda® Sweet Swaps™ Initiative for creative ways to swap out full sugar for Splenda® Sweetener products. Splenda® sweeteners can be found at Walmart.com

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #ad

    Lastly, our Sweet Potato Pie is topped with an oatmeal crumble. This recipe came from my sister in law. She makes a fabulous Sweet Potato Casserole, that she puts this on top of. Her son is allergic to nuts, so she made the exchange to oats and it is fabulous! When we combine the pie crust, sweet potato filling, and oatmeal crumble the family tradition is created. 

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #ad

    Sweet Potato Pie with Oatmeal Crumble
    Start a family tradition and bake this Sweet Potato Pie. With a Sweet Swap™ from Splenda®
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 prebaked Pie Crust
    2. 4 medium sized Sweet Potatoes
    3. 1/2 cup Splenda® Sugar Blend
    4. 2 eggs
    5. 1 tsp Vanilla
    6. 1/4 cup Half and Half
    7. 1/2 cup Butter
    8. For Oatmeal Crumble
    9. 1/4 cup Flour
    10. 1/2 cup Oats
    11. 1/4 cup Butter, melted
    12. 1/4 cup Splenda® Brown Sugar
    Instructions
    1. Peel Sweet Potatoes, and boil in a large pot of water. When a fork can penetrate easily through the potato, they’re done.
    2. Drain water from the potatoes and mash with a fork.
    3. Add butter, Splenda®, eggs, vanilla, and Half and half.
    4. Mix well.
    5. Pour into prepared Pie Crust.
    6. Oatmeal Crumble
    7. Mix flour, oats, butter, and Splenda® brown sugar. Crumble across the top of the Sweet Potato Pie.
    8. Bake pie at 375F for 25-30 minutes
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

     You can find Splenda® Sweeteners at Walmart in the baking aisle next to the sugar. 

    Sweet Potato Pie: A Family Tradition #SplendaHoliday #ad

    What Holiday recipes will you swap with Splenda®? Check out these Sweet Swaps™ recipes for inspiration, and enter the sweepstakes below!

     
    J&J Holiday Baking with Splenda

  • Pecan Apple Trifle + KitchenAid Sweepstakes

    Pecan Apple Trifle + KitchenAid Sweepstakes

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeInThefun #CollectiveBias
     
    How would you like to win a KitchenAid Mixer? Just in time for fall baking you have 2 chances each week through 10/1/2015 to win!
     
    Fall weather is here. For me that means apple picking and baking are about to be all I can think about – actually it’s already all I can think about. When M&M’s® Pecan Pie flavors hit the shelves, baking was not far away. This Pecan Apple Trifle takes everything I love about fall and layers it in a delicious treat fit for company. 
     
    Pecan Apple Trifle #BakeInTheFun ad
     
    One of my favorite treats to bake in the fall are pies. I run into the problem though, that Mark loves Pecan Pie and I prefer Apple Pie. As pies, they don’t really mix, but in a trifle! Now we’re talking. By combining the fall flavors we both love in a cake and then layering it – truly a fall treat we can all agree on. 
     
    Pecan Apple Trifle #BakeInTheFun ad
     
    This trifle is so easy to make! With a few key ingredients, and a little bit of time, you’ll be ready to impress any fall guests with this trifle. Starting with M&M’s® Pecan Pie 9.9oz bags, you’ll also want to pick up some Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® Cake Mix and Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Cream Cheese Icing, Mott’s® Applesauce, and Snapple® Apple. I found all the ingredients at my local Walmart.
     
    Pecan Apple Trifle ingredients at Walmart #BakeInTheFun
     
    Enter here to win a KitchenAid Mixer
     
    Pecan Apple Trifle ingredients #BakeInTheFun ad

     

    To make the trifle, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Mix up the cake mix according to the Pillsbury directions – only leave out the oil! Exchange the oil straight across for some Mott’s® Original Applesauce – 1 to 1 ratio here.

    exchange oil for applesauce in cake mix. ad

    Pour the cake mix into a 9×13 pan (or larger), and bake for 30 minutes. The larger the pan, the thinner the cake, and  better it lays in the trifle.

    While the cake is baking, get the cream part of the trifle ready. One thing we all agree on, is cream cheese icing. I had been looking for Snapple® Fall Spice, but couldn’t find any, so grabbed my favorite Snapple® Apple instead to give a little more apple flavor to the trifle. Opening the Snapple® was like transporting me straight to the apple farms.

    Whip those all up, then set it aside while you wait for the cake! I was in a bit of a hurry, because who isn’t in the fall? So rather than waiting for the cake to cool on it’s own, I tossed it in the freezer for about 10 minutes. The cake cooled enough to cut and start layering on the trifle.

    Layering Pecan Apple Trifle #BakeInTheFun ad

    Star the trifle with a layer of Snapple® infused Pillsbury™ icing. Next add a layer of cake. Follow it by more icing. Then add a layer of M&M’s® Pecan Pie and chopped pecans. You could also add a layer of chopped apples here, which I fully intended to do…but when I went to grab them there was one lone apple sitting in my bowl. Whoops! At least I know someone’s making good snack choices.

    Cake Layered trifle #BakeInTheFun ad

    Continue layering until the bowl is full. I got 3 layers of cake in my bowl. Top off the trifle with the last of the Pillsbury™ icing, and a good heaping display of M&M’s® Pecan Pie – the real star of this dessert.

    Pecan Apple Trifle
    Find all your fall favorites in this Pecan Apple Trifle
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    Ingredients
    1. 2 9.9oz packages M&M’s® Pecan Pie
    2. 1 box Pillsbury™ Moist Supreme® cake mix
    3. 1/4 cup Mott’s® Applesauce original
    4. 3 eggs I used brown solely because they look more fall-ish
    5. 1 cup water
    6. 2 16oz tubs Pillsbury™ Creamy Supreme® Cream Cheese icing
    7. 5 TBS Snapple® Apple
    8. chopped pecans optional
    9. chopped apples optional
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
    2. Mix cake mix, applesauce, water, and eggs. Pour into 9×13 pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    3. Whip icing and juice together. Set aside.
    4. Cool cake completely. Cut into 1/2 – 1 inch squares.
    5. In the bottom of a large bowl, layer icing, cake, then icing again. Add M&M’s®, pecans and apples. Layer more cake, icing, then M&M’s® pecans and apples again. Continue until bowl is full.
    6. Top trifle with a final layer of icing, a heaping handful of M&M’s®, apple slices, and pecans.
    7. Enjoy with company.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Do me a favor and PIN THIS!
    Put together a Pecan Apple Trifle for fall company #BakeInTheFun ad

     

    What are you favorite fall flavors? Find more Fall-inspired treats.