Cheesecake Recipe

After my last post, I had a request for the recipe of this cheesecake, so here it is. :)

Caramel Stripe Cheesecake

(From Taste of Home)

Step one - Crust - 2 cups crushed graham crackers, and 1/3 cup butter melted. Mix together, and press into greased spring-form pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. When done, remove from heat, and turn oven down to 350 degrees.

Step two - Mix 3 packages of softened cream cheese till very creamy. Add 1 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons flour, mixing till well mixed. On low speed, add in 3 eggs, and mix till just combined. Stir in 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. It's important not to over mix. Dump mixture onto crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. When done, cool for 10 minutes, then run a knife gently around the edge to keep it from sticking.

Step three - While the cheesecake is cooling, mix 12 caramels and 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl, or on the stove, until melted. Drizzle over cheesecake as much or as little as you want.

Step four - mix 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 2 teaspoons butter, and 4 teaspoons heavy whipping cream. Melt in microwave, or on stove. Drizzle on top.

Step five - refrigerate cheesecake for several hours, or overnight before serving. Remove the edge of the spring-form pan to cut.

Tips - 1. Place a pan under the cheesecake in the oven, the butter in the crust sometimes drips through the crack of the pan. 2. Don't open the oven while it's baking. Especially not in the first 30 minutes. Opening the oven may cause cracking.

Enjoy!

ND Re-cap, and Cheesecake

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be at the ND homeschool convention. Like always, it was a lot of fun, it went very well, and I look forward to next year.

Dad and Mom came with us this year, and it was fun to have them in on my set-up process.

I also had the opportunity to do a workshop titled, "A Writer in the House?" Thank you to everyone who came! We had a fun group! 

Then, I came home, and made a caramel chocolate swirl cheesecake.

I've been doing some experiments with cheesecake recipes lately, and this is my latest creation.

Hot Chocolate Floats

I'd never heard of a hot chocolate float until this past week, but after experimenting with them, I think I've found a new favorite!

Basically, it's just hot chocolate with ice cream, so as you're drinking, you get a hot and cold mix and it's AMAZING!!!!

Hot Drinks!

So, I ran across this post from two years ago, and it's still true! I still love making coffee drinks. I tried the Maple latte this year, and a Snicker Mocha. Soon, I'm going to start experimenting with eggnog . . . Do you like eggnog? If so, what is your favorite type/flavor/recipe?

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Four Fall Lattes!

When I'm stressed out, and under a lot of pressure, I can act kind of weird. . .  I know that some of you are probably thinking right now, 'She must ALWAYS bu under a lot of pressure and stress, cause she's always weird!' and you're probably right. For me, when I have a list of deadlines, and feel like crawling into a hole and hiding for a year, the best way to relax, is to make something in the kitchen. Of course, we have to be careful with the 'things' we go to when we're stressed. The only thing that can really help us, is spending time with Jesus, and HE should be the one we go to. Not books, not food, not movies, not people, we should go to Jesus. That being said, sometimes, I have the greatest conversations with Him while I'm working in the kitchen. Making something for other people's enjoyment helps me take my mind off of me, and focus on Christ, and serving others. This fall has been an especially crazy time for me, and since I hadn't been able to bake or experiment in the kitchen all summer, I've taken full advantage of this fall in the kitchen!

My latest 'creations' have been fall flavored lattes!

You've already seen the pictures of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

But then there was the Apple Cider Latte. This one was good when it was fresh and still hot, but as it cooled slightly, the apple cider curdled the milk a little. Of course, it was still good, (I mean it had coffee in it!) but of the ones I've made, this one was definitely my least favorite. I didn't use any one recipe for a lot of the lattes. I kind of merged a few recipes and threw in my own twists, but this one had apple cider, milk, coffee, brown sugar, and vanilla. It didn't taste the greatest to start with, so we added some cinnamon and caramel and that did the trick!

The Caramel Latte was one of my favorites. You can't go wrong with caramel, milk and coffee! I also added a bit of vanilla and brown sugar. Then we topped it with whipped cream and more caramel.

This is my attempt at a Turtle Mocha Latte. Although it doesn't look the nicest, it tasted great! Not quite like one you'd get in a coffee shop, but close. I'll have to try making this one again and see if I can get it any closer to the taste I was looking for.

Basically, most of the recipes are 1 cup of strong coffee, to 2 cups of milk, then you add whatever flavor you're trying to get, and sugar to taste.

What is your favorite latte/coffee drink? I'm hoping to try making a few more, and I'd love some ideas! Till next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to stay thankful in EVERYTHING, and enjoy the small moments of life.

Valentine Baking

So, my older sisters used to always make these Valentine cookies, and this year, I tried my hand at it. I'm not very steady handed with the decorating part . . . but I had fun! 

Then, I had these cherries in the fridge and thought I should use them, so I made these Coconut Macaroons. It was a slight process because we didn't have any sweeten condensed milk. So, I found a recipe, and made my own sweeten condensed milk, then proceeded with the recipe. They turned out okay, but I don't think they were quite as good as when I use the store bought. I'll have to work on that recipe . . . but it did turn out better than I was expecting! 

Minnesotan, You Betcha!

Since Hosanna and I have birthdays so close, we decided to combine them this year and have the married kids and grandparents over between the two. I didn't think of it till the food was all made and set out, and then I realized something. We eat strange food. What's just a normal, northern Minnesotan thing to us, is really weird to the rest of the world. I just had to take pictures of these two platters to share with you. Two types of open faced sandwiches that you can find at any potluck.

Growing up, I never thought ANYTHING strange about the peanut-butter and pickle sandwich. I mean they're GREAT! Apparently, the rest of the country doesn't eat these. Do they eat them where you're from?

And my personal favorite, the cheese-wiz and olive sandwiches. Now these are great on normal bread, but to get the VERY BEST experience, you have to use the round cinnamon bread. That's what we did here. The round cinnamon bread, with cheese-wiz and olives will always be one of my favorite open face sandwiches. Have you ever had one?

Since it was just 'light snacks,' we didn't serve any hotdish or jello salad, but those are two other things that you ALWAYS find at a potluck. 

I've been told that we do other things weird too. For example, we eat our pears green. (All of us accept Mom.) I mean a crunchy green pear is WAY better than a messy and soft yellow one. And bananas, once they get the slightest bit of brown on them, then they'd better go into banana muffins or something because then it's not much good for fresh eating. Honestly, I like mine to still be green on the ridges. And cottage cheese, that should ALWAYS be eaten on buttered toast with salt and pepper.

So, now I'm curious. What kind of things do you eat that would be considered 'strange' outside of your area, or outside of your family?

Ty Carson

  Last winter, I wrote a book about Ty Carson, and then put it on the shelf and ignored it till this last fall. When I pulled it out and started editing, I knew that it was going to be my next published book. I wrote the rough draft to the second and third book in the series, and have been editing them, and having my amazing beta readers work on them as well. This week, I got copies of my first two proof copies in the mail. Now, I'm working on final edits, letting my final beta readers at it, and working on final cover design issues. Do any of you have a cover design program that you love?
     Lord willing, if things stay on schedule, I'll be releasing at least the first two, and possibly the third, at the ND Homeschool convention where I'll be doing a vendor booth.
    So, you're probably wondering, "Who is Ty Carson?" Well, here's a basic overview of Ty Carson, and his trilogy.

  Book One - Graveyard Bend

There’s nothing like spending the summer with a grandpa that you don’t remember ever meeting. . . Especially when he’s murdered the day you arrive.
     It's been ten years since Ty Carson's policeman dad was killed in the small town of Graveyard Bend, and he hasn't been back since. . . until now.
      Fourteen-year- old Ty Carson wants nothing to do with the boys’ home as he searches for clues to the alleged murder. Can a baseball game, a figure dressed in black, and an old gun collection be the things that he needs to find friendship and bring him closer to God?

Book Two - Traffic at Graveyard Bend

There’s nothing like getting new neighbors . . . Especially when people disappear on their property.

     After a summer at the boys’ home, fourteen-year-old Ty Carson can’t imagine feeling at home anywhere else. Things seemed perfect . . . until the new neighbors arrived. The traffic from the neighbors at all hours of the day and night seemed bad enough, but then the new boy showed up.

    Can a new kid, threats against the home, the new neighbors, and his mom’s absence, help Ty learn to trust God? When Uncle Wyatt leaves, can Ty and the gang do the right thing? Or is losing the home inevitable?

     With a gun in his hand, and fear in his heart, Ty has to make a decision, but will it be the right one?

I haven't written a synopsis for book three yet but the title is, Chaos at Graveyard Bend.

I would appreciate prayer as I'm working on finalizing details for the books, and as I try to be wise with my time and get everything done that I need to. 

On another note, I've REALLY enjoyed getting to go skating and have some AWESOME games of hockey with family and friends! Thank you, Caleb M. for taking the time to make the rink great!

Every January, we make portzelky, and since we already have the deep fryer out, we usually make egg rolls and wantons. I've always liked Chinese food, but there's something about the homemade ones that are WAY better than any I've ever had at a restaurant. 

That's all for now, until next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to let the joy of the Lord by your strength!

Four Fall Lattes!

When I'm stressed out, and under a lot of pressure, I can act kind of weird. . .  I know that some of you are probably thinking right now, 'She must ALWAYS bu under a lot of pressure and stress, cause she's always weird!' and you're probably right. For me, when I have a list of deadlines, and feel like crawling into a hole and hiding for a year, the best way to relax, is to make something in the kitchen. Of course, we have to be careful with the 'things' we go to when we're stressed. The only thing that can really help us, is spending time with Jesus, and HE should be the one we go to. Not books, not food, not movies, not people, we should go to Jesus. That being said, sometimes, I have the greatest conversations with Him while I'm working in the kitchen. Making something for other people's enjoyment helps me take my mind off of me, and focus on Christ, and serving others. This fall has been an especially crazy time for me, and since I hadn't been able to bake or experiment in the kitchen all summer, I've taken full advantage of this fall in the kitchen!

My latest 'creations' have been fall flavored lattes!

You've already seen the pictures of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

But then there was the Apple Cider Latte. This one was good when it was fresh and still hot, but as it cooled slightly, the apple cider curdled the milk a little. Of course, it was still good, (I mean it had coffee in it!) but of the ones I've made, this one was definitely my least favorite. I didn't use any one recipe for a lot of the lattes. I kind of merged a few recipes and threw in my own twists, but this one had apple cider, milk, coffee, brown sugar, and vanilla. It didn't taste the greatest to start with, so we added some cinnamon and caramel and that did the trick!

The Caramel Latte was one of my favorites. You can't go wrong with caramel, milk and coffee! I also added a bit of vanilla and brown sugar. Then we topped it with whipped cream and more caramel.

This is my attempt at a Turtle Mocha Latte. Although it doesn't look the nicest, it tasted great! Not quite like one you'd get in a coffee shop, but close. I'll have to try making this one again and see if I can get it any closer to the taste I was looking for.

Basically, most of the recipes are 1 cup of strong coffee, to 2 cups of milk, then you add whatever flavor you're trying to get, and sugar to taste.

What is your favorite latte/coffee drink? I'm hoping to try making a few more, and I'd love some ideas! Till next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to stay thankful in EVERYTHING, and enjoy the small moments of life.