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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Guest Post - Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Alright you cannot resist these little babies!  They are ooey goodie yummy!  Try them out!
Got the recipe from our friends over at Heat oven to 350.


Chocolate chip cookie layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup butter flavored vegetable shortening
1 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp salt
1 T cider vinegar
1 large egg
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Cheesecake layer:

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, sugars, vanilla, salt and vinegar. Beat in the egg, then the baking soda and flour. Stir in the chocolate chips. Divide the dough into two equal portions and set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl cream the cream cheese with the sugar until thoroughly combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla. 

3. In a 9x13 pan, spread 1/2 of the cookie dough mixture evenly across the bottom. (This is somewhat tricky to do. I find it easier to add dollops of cookie dough throughout the pan and then spread all the dollops together. Spread the cream cheese mixture on the top of the cookie dough. With the remaining cookie dough, flatten chunks of dough between your hands into discs, and then place on top of the cream cheese mixture. (The dough discs don't have to touch, just place them near each other so they cover the surface as well as possible.) 

4. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is brown and cooked through. Cool completely and store in the refrigerator.

(To make this in a sheet pan double the recipe and press into a 12x17" sheet pan. The cooking time is slightly shorter.)


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Spaghetti Pie

I am sure everyone would admit that spaghetti is a family favorite.  Not only that but it easy.  Just grab some tomato sauce throw in some meat, spices, peppers, and onions and voila!  Dinner is served.  Well, here is a great alternative to a family favorite

Spaghetti Pie 
(the fast & simple way)
Speedy pasta pie

6 oz pkg Spaghetti
2 T Margarine/butter
1/2 C Parmesan Cheese
2 Eggs (well beaten)
1/2 C chopped onion
1 lb Hamburger
1 C Cottage Cheese
1/2 C Mozzarella Cheese
1 28 oz bottle of Spaghetti Sauce

Cook spaghetti, drain, stir in margarine/butter, Parmesan and eggs.  Form Crust in pie dish

Cook beef & onion.  Drain, stir in sauce.

Spread cottage cheese over crust, then fill with sauce/meat mixture.

Bake uncovered 350 for 20 minutes.  Top with cheese bake an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy with some garlic bread and a green salad!