Cherry Cheese Danish

Working back shift has it's pros and cons....I try my best to keep my spirits high and keep busy. Right now is more of the slower season so I have more time to do sweet treats for the crew.  The other night I made a Cherry Cheese Danish and it was a big hit! This is so delishes and looks pretty and is actually very easy to make! You won't have to run to Tim's or your favorite bakery any more! This will be your go-to dessert, I promise!

Cheery (or blueberry, apple, strawberry) Cheese Danish

1/4 cup warm water

1 Tbsp yeast

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

2 cup flour

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 to 2 cups favorite canned pie filling

1. Mix warm water, 1/2 tsp sugar and yeast together in a medium size mixing bowl

2. Let sit for 5 minutes or so

3. In a small saucepan, mix together the butter and sour cream. Stir over medium heat until butter melts and the two are combined. 

4. Add sugar and salt. Stir over low heat until sugar is completely dissolved.

5. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few moments. Add the egg and whisk.

6. Add sour cream mixture to water and yeast mixture. 

7. Add flour and mix well.

8. Cover the dough and chill for at least 2 hours.

9. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until nice and smooth. 

10. On a floured surface, roll out dough into a large rectangle.

11. Cut slits on either side about 2 inches apart. Spread cream cheese mixture down the middle, then the fruit filling of your choice on top.

12. Fold the flaps of the dough back over the center to make it look like a braid.

13. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven on a parchement lined baking sheet for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.

Allow to cool on pan and drizzle a icing sugar glaze over danish. 

enjoy!

Cheery Cheese Danish 

Sliced and ready to enjoy!

Toasted Coconut and Almond Fudge Shortbread Bars :)

Sometimes I just feel the need to bake. My jeans really can't take much more of my baking and eating fits, but I just love being in the kitchen. I had limited ingredients today so I set out and googled "sweetened condensed milk".

I found and recipe and made it my own.

If you're in the mood for a sweet treat, this is a good one!

Toasted Coconut and Almond Fudge Shortbread Bars

  1cup butter, softened
1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups  all-purpose flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Sliced almonds, toasted

Shredded coconut, toasted

Preheat oven to 350° F

1. Beat butter, sugar, and salt until fluffy. Add flour; mix well.
2. With floured hands, press evenly into 13x9 parchment paper-lined baking pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool.
3. Melt chips with sweetened condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat ; stir in extract. Spread evenly over shortbread.
4. Garnish with almonds and coconut ; press down firmly. Chill 3 hours or until firm. Cut into bars. Store covered at room temperature.

:) Enjoy

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

My cousin gave me a journal filled with recipes, hand written by her, for a Christmas gift back eight or nine years ago....recipes for cookies, casseroles, cakes....you name it! It's in there! Her mothers recipes, MY mothers recipes, her mother-in-laws recipes. Under some recipes, there are even personal comments on who's recipe it is, and how much the food item is enjoyed by her family and friends! Considering the meals we shared together and our family history of the love of food, this was a great gift. The pages are now well worn..some pages are even sticky! There were some blank pages when I received the book, but they are now filled. I love this cook book and no matter how many others I have, I always ended up back in this one for most things. One of my favorite go-to cookies when I just want something sweet in the house, or something to take to friends, is her chocolate chip cookie recipe. I have had many cookies, and these are the BEST EVER! (My Nanny made some awesome chocolate chip cookies too, but no matter how many times I tried that recipe they never tasted like hers!) Today I made these cookies and added some Reese's chips along with the regular Milk Chocolate chips I usually add. Yup, success! They are yummy and I'm sure my friends will enjoy them too! Here's the recipe and few photos :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1-2 cups chocolate chips

In a microwavable mixing bowl, melt butter.

Add sugars and beat with electric mixer until soft and smooth.

Add egg and egg yolk. Beat until smooth.

Stir in vanilla.

Sift in flour and baking soda. Stir until combined.

Add chocolate chips.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, (or roll into 1 inch balls) place cookie batter

about 3 inches apart. Back for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden, but still soft in the center. 

Cool on cooling rack and enjoy!