Kirsti, Ty, and Baby Copper

Monday, November 9, 2009

Crunchy Coconut Cookies

Ok... Who doesn't like coconut? Apparently Ty thought he didn't until he tried these cookies! I'm pretty sure his response was "these are dang good!" muffled because his mouth was full with cookies!

I found these cookies in the Rachel Ray magazine. I love reading it but most of the recipes are difficult or too different from my perspective to even try in our 3 square foot kitchen. These cookies were an exception. Very easy to make and delicious!!!

Crunchy Coconut Cookies

1/2 cup flour
1/2 Tsp baking powder
1/2 Tsp salt
4 Tbsp unsalted butter at room temp
1/3 c sugar
1 large egg
1/2 Tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. *I just sprayed a cookie sheet with Pam nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar at medium-high speed until creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture on low speed. Stir in the coconut.

3. Place rounded teaspoons of dough about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake until the edges are golden, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Reese's 2nd Birthday Party!

This weekend was Reese's 2nd Birthday Party! Reese is one of the little angels i babysit and of course my favorite! Her mom (Sarah) and dad (Mike) are so amazing and they threw her the best little party a 2 year old could ever have! Although her birthday doesn't fall till November 19th, a party is a party and when Reese is there it's even better!

Reese was adorable in her handmade (by mom and grandma) shirt, playing with all of her friends! I tried to get a quick hug and tickle in but Reese was too distracted by all the gifts and um cupcakes!!!!!

Happy Birthday Reese! Thanks for all the fun times we have and lighting up my life with your smile! Love "Titi"

Love You Reesie!

Sarah and her beautiful Cupcakes.... delish!

Reese and her baby :)

Reese and her friend/twin Samantha... it was a little bright out

Monday, November 2, 2009

Just in case you wanted something cute...

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

Although this picture hardly shows the potential of this cheescake, I didnt have much time before it was eaten... I made it for Jeannie's (Ty's mom) birthday and I thought it came out pretty good. It wasn't very pretty, but sure was tasty :) It was my first go at my springform pan!

Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

Filling:
3 packages (8oz) cream cheese
1 Cup sugar
3 Eggs
1 Cup sour cream

Crumb Crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (I used pre-crushed)
5 tbsp butter or margerine, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Caramel Toffee topping:
10 wrapped caramels (I used Werthers...the best!)
3 tbsp cream
1 toffee bar, crushed (I used Trader Joes English Toffee)

1. For the filling: preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. I let the cream cheese soften to room temp and then used a hand mixer on low. Slowly add eggs 1 at a time. Scrape bowl and add sour cream until smooth.

2. For the crust: In a medium sized bowl, toss crumbs sugar and butter with a fork until well mixed. Press mixture over the bottom and slightly up sides of a 9inch springform pan.

3. Pour filling into crumb crust and bake until filling wiggles slightly in the center - about 50 minutes. Transfer onto a cooling rack and cool to room temperature. Move to refrigerator and cool for additional 4 hours.

4. When cheesecake is completely cooled, melt caramels in a small microwave safe bowl. Add cream and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring until caramel is melted and combined with cream.
*I topped cheesecake while it was still inside the springform pan but it is better to decorate on serving platter. The caramel looks gooier. Just an additional way to do it.

Drizzle 1/2 of caramel ontop of cheesecake. Sprinkle toffee pieces. Drizzle more caramel over top. Let the caramel set for a few minutes until serving.

*Cheesecake recipe borrowed from source to be updated later :)