Praline Cheesecake Squares

Recipe shared with me by Holly M.

24 servings

Crust ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup melted butter

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

In a large bowl combine crust ingredients. Mix well then press into the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until crust is set and light golden brown around the edges.

Cheesecake ingredients:

12 oz. softened cream cheese

2 eggs

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

In a large mixing bike beat cream cheese with an electric mixwe on low to medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat well. Beat in sweetened condensed milk, granulated sugar and vanilla.  Pour over baked crust. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes until set. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Topping ingredients:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar and whipping cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped pecans and vanilla. Pour over cheesecake. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours before serving. Cut into 1 1/2-2 inch squares.

*To make a regular 9x13 pan just double the recipe.

***OH HEAVEN!! I first had this yummy dessert at a baby shower that was thrown for me 7 years ago. I of course asked for the recipe from my friend. It has become the dessert that I request for Mother's Day. And just maybe I will share with those close by!

 

Sewing Projects

My daughter and I did these bags together. She found a pattern and decided she wanted to make some bags and try to sell them. I thought it would be a good teaching opportunity. I decided I would make one and as I made one, I would show her and she could make her own. She did an awesome job for her first sewing project. We thought the bags would be a good size for a scripture bag....They are a lot bigger! I actually use mine for a purse! I love how they turned out! And no, we haven't made anymore since because there was a lot more cutting out and detailed work to make it worth trying to sell them!

Crocheted Baby Slippers

My second ever pair of booty's that I have crocheted myself! I am really pleased with how they turned out. I made these for my cute little niece that was recently blessed.

Valentine Shirts

This was last years Valentine shirts. They still fit 3 of my 4 girls this year. My sis-in-law and I made these for our girls.

I found plain shirts at Old Navy on clearance. We used Valentine Doilies as stencils. We also used fabric paint but I'm sure your basic toll paints will work since I can never get them out of clothes that I accidentally spill on. I centered then taped the heart on so it wouldn't move, put a piece of card stock inside the shirt so the paint would go through to the back of the shirt, then used a sponge brush and tapped (like patting) the paint on. I Loved how they turned out! A very fun and cute idea for Valentines! 

My sis-in-law also helped me make these cork-screw hairbows to match the Valentine shirts. Sooo Cute!She made it look so easy...glad she could make mine look cute! 

I Love making hearts in their hair for Valentines!

Valentine Oreo Cookies

 

2 boxes strawberry flavored cake mix

1 cup vegetable oil (or 1 1/2 cups shortening)

4 eggs

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl til well blended. Form dough into a 1-1 1/2" balls. To shape into a heart I took a butter knife and sliced into one side of the ball just a little bit to make the top of the heart. I then took the dough that is on each side of the knife and pulled away from the knife, creating space between the slit I made with the knife. I then squeezed the dough together on the opposite end from the slit, creating the bottom point of the heart. I did have to flatten the top (face) of the heart just a bit too. Be creative and make a heart how you can.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. Til the top starts to crack and lose it's gloss.

Let the cookie cool then make a sandwich with the filling...

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 TB vanilla

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

*I found this recipe on pinterest. I was worried the strawberry cookie was going to be too sweet, but the husband gave them 2 thumbs! Definitely a fun new Valentine treat we will be doing again!