Bake 52: Light New York Cheesecake

Cheesecake.  Light Cheesecake.  Nothing wrong with that.  Well, except maybe that it still has calories, albeit less.

The tip for the crust:  use a measuring cup to help press it down, before par-baking.

This was another fun recipe.  I learned something new.  The recipe called for low-fat yogurt cheese.  I had never heard of yogurt cheese before.  Thank goodness for the side-note in the book of how to make your own.  It explained that 2 cups of low-fat yogurt could be placed in a fine-mesh strainer, lined with cheesecloth (I used multiple paper towels), and left to sit in the fridge for 10 hours.  The liquid drains, and your left with yogurt cheese.  Having never tried this before, I was a little nervous.  If it didn't work, what other options would I have?  Luckily it worked like a charm.  And luckily I had read previously about the 10 hours of needed drain time.  Here's what the yogurt looked like after the draining time...  kind-a like softened cream cheese.

Besides the yogurt cheese, there were two-packages of light cream cheese, and cottage cheese.  The whole cheesecake was combined in a food processor, until it was all smooth and well combined.  I've never made a cheesecake in that way.  Slick.

Then of course baked for over an hour, and allowed to cool for a couple of hours, and then put in the fridge to cool for 3 hours... so not really a dessert that can be made quickly, or in only 2 hours before a dinner party.

Overall I liked the cheesecake.  I think though, that if I'm going to have cheesecake, I would prefer the "real" thing.  I mean, if I was to skimp on dessert, I'll go for an orange or grapes or something.  If I'm having dessert, I'll take the full fat.  I wish it had been a little firmer, which could have been my mistake.  Maybe I should have cooked it a tad longer?  So, that being said, I doubt that I'll make this one again, but, I really enjoyed the process.  Thanks Talesha for picking this recipe.  Head over to her blog for the full recipe.

bake 52: week 3... boston cream cupcakes

Amanda picked this week's recipe, (full recipe there).  When I saw what it was, I knew it would be a lot of work, a bit time consuming, but I was optimistic.  I really hoped that it would taste as good as the great picture from the cookbook.

It was a bit of work coupled with time... make the pastry cream, and let it chill in the fridge for 2 hours.  Then make the cupcakes... butter cut into pieces and softened, eggs at room temperature, beating the 12 tablespoons of butter piece by piece into the dry ingredients, creating moist crumbs.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, until combined, then add the milk, also at room temperature, and vanilla.  There were time notations on a lot of the beating instructions, which at first glance seemed a little excessive, but in reality, I think it was helpful.  Obviously it's easy to over-mix cupcakes, (and muffins), and end-up with a very peaked product, so I liked the specific instructions, with times.

Love that the cookbook said to use a greased 1/3-cup measure, to fill each muffin tin equally.  We did the same thing last week with the bran muffins.  It helped.  It made the cupcakes, and muffins, turn out a lot more even, as in same size, even.  Nice tip.  Thanks.

After the cupcakes are completely cooled, the tops are cut, hollowing out the center of the cupcake (in a cone shape).  Then the pointed end of the cone is cut, leaving just the top, so that it can be replaced, after the cream is spooned into the created hole.  (Funny how it said to cut off *and discard* the pointed end of the cone-shaped piece.  As if you'd *discard* the yummy cupcake, the center of the cupcake no less.  I of course saved those pieces, and Silas and I did a little quality control.  Had to be done.)

Then there's the chocolate glaze that goes on top of the whole cupcake, and allowed to drip down the edges.  Amazing.  Yet still, before you can try them, they go back into the fridge for 10 minutes for the glaze to set.  Time consuming?  Yes.  Worth it?  Every minute!

I would make these again.  You know, for something special... a friend's birthday lunch, etc.  (Can't think of any other reason or time that these might be fully appreciated, with all the time that's required.) But how fun to have individual Boston Cream Cupcakes for dessert.

 I did also appreciate that the recipe only made 12 cupcakes.  I was originally worried about having all these cupcakes hanging around, wanting to be eaten, and maybe eventually going bad?  No worries.  Twelve.  Easily disposed of.

Bake 52: Bran Muffins

A couple of weeks ago I decided to join an online baking group... "Bake 52".   The idea is that for the year the group of us bake one recipe a week.  We then each post about the recipe.  So, on your assigned week, you get to pick the recipe that everyone will bake along with you, and post the recipe on your blog.
The cookbook we're using:

I didn't sign-up soon enough, so I missed the first week (Quiche), so here I am with week 2:  Bran Muffins.

I was a little skeptical about how these muffins would turn out.  When I think of bran I think of dry and heavy.  But I was pleasantly surprised.

When I think of bran I also automatically think they'd be really healthy, but the recipe has brown sugar, butter and plain yogurt in it, so not really "low-fat".

The recipe called for raisins, but mentioned that dried cranberries or cherries could be substituted.  So I went with craisins.

I really liked these muffins, I'll make them again.  My kids liked them too.  In fact I think these could be Bakery worthy with one minor change.  I'd leave out the craisins or raisins or dried fruit in any variety, and add some lightly sweetened cream cheese before baking.  Heavenly.  Wish I had thought to do this before... oh well, next time.

For the complete recipe, check it out here.

sewing with sadie

In October, Sadie celebrated her 11th birthday... my how time flies!  We figured she was old enough for her own sewing machine.  It was so exciting to order it and anticipate it's arrival.  She loved it! And for the last few "mommy nights" since then, we've sewn.

Isn't it a cute machine!

Her first project she actually designed the pattern herself.  She did such a great job meticulously drawing it out, measuring every side and angle exactly.  Finally she got to sew her first project on her machine.  What fun!

It's a tie pillow!  Quite the belly warmer!  Great for car rides!

So proud of her creation!

Just look at the comfort.  Doesn't it make you want one of your own?  I'm sure she'd take orders.

Here's Sadie in her own words...

I really like my ''new'' creation.  :)  It sooooooo fun to sew with my new sewing machine!(!!!!!!!) I can't wait for my other projects!  Next up:  a pillow case.

There it is.  We'll be sure to post about the others too.  I have visions that one day (when I have an actual sewing room), that Sadie and I will sit at our separate machines and sew.  Or that she'll go in on her own, and whip something up.  One day.

behind

Feels like I've been behind for a while now... could have something to do with a*new* (well, he's been here for 5 weeks now, but we're slow to adjust with the kids out of school and all), two-month old. Anyway, it's all worth it, and we hope he stays for a very LONG time! So here's some catch-up:

So, for teacher gifts this year, we went REALLY simple. Zipper pouches with candy. I asked the kids what colors their teachers liked, and we went from there. Here's what we ended up with...

At this point I don't remember what went to who... but they turned pretty fun. And really, who doesn't LOVE chocolate, plus a little zippered bag for whatever later - can't go wrong.

These next photos/gift are from last year. They were a gift for a baby girl...

Diaper/wipes envelope. One of my very favorite things... carries diapers and wipes, then when you need to change a diaper, you grab the pouch, instead of having to take the whole diaper bag with you. Especially handy if you have more than one child needing that diaper bag.

To go along with the diaper/wipes envelope, I made some cute baby shoes. They are really fun to make, lots of steps, but really not too bad... and they turn out so cute, that's it worth all the time.

Well, obviously Easter was a while ago, but here's the various fabrics I used for my girls' Easter skirts. Seersucker is such fun!

So, I had a *great* idea for the green/white plaid, to make a tie for Silas. I found a free pattern online and gave it a whirl. The pattern said it was for a little boy, guess it meant a little smaller little boy, because it was too small, by far. So, since that was left until last, Silas didn't have a new tie for Easter, he'll live. I want to try it again, but haven't yet... sometime. Course, the longer I wait, the bigger/longer the tie will need to be. Lovely.

Here's some of the fabric cut, ironed and ready to be used as bias tape on the skirt. What fun.

Of course, I don't have a finished picture... I'm sure we took one, I just can't find it right now... later.

About a month ago, Silas had a little friend that had a birthday party. She was turning 5, and after thinking what he could give her, here's what we came up with...

She got a Market Skirt. Here's the free tutorial, and here for the pockets. Really easy and fast. Always turns out cute. Can't go wrong. If you're in the mood for a cute skirt, go give it a try.

Close-up of the pockets. So fun. We actually hid some little stuffed animals in the pockets just for fun. She loved it!

I'm working on a gift for a birthday coming-up on Sunday - can't believe he'll be 4! Crazy. When I finish that, I'll post pictures, along with a large project I've been slowly working on.

Here's to a GREAT Monday!