Fourth of July No Bake Cheesecake

Hi everyone! Happy 4th of July weekend! I hope you're all enjoying the start to your 3 day weekend. In honor of 4th of July, I would like to share this super simple recipe with you. It's pretty to look at, it's patriotic, and it's DELICIOUS. If you're familiar with no bake cheesecakes, there are generally two ways to do them. Cream cheese and condensed milk, or cream cheese and whipped topping. I prefer the whipped topping method to the sweetened condensed milk method, as this is a little lighter and less sickly sweet tasting.

4th of July No Bake Cheesecake

• 1 package (8oz) low fat whipped topping (This is the kind in the tub, not the can!)
• 1 package (8oz) Neufchatel cheese
• 1/3 cup sugar (May use more or less to personal taste)
• 1 graham cracker crust (10in)
• Sliced strawberries
• Blueberries

And here's your insanely simple directions:

1. Put whipped topping, cheese, and sugar into a mixing bowl, mix until combined. (It won't take long.)

2. Pour out the delicious into your pie crust- don't forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl!

3. Chill for 3 hours in the refrigerator.

4. Decorate as shown!

This recipe is totally versatile. Please feel free to experiment! Make an Oreo crust, add in chocolate chips, dye it green with food coloring- the possibilities are endless.

Happy Independence Day!

Apple Pineapple Dump Cake

Hi everyone!

On this rainy day in Southern California, allow me to introduce you (if you don't already know each other) to dump cake. A dessert that sounds so strange, but is so good. And the best part is, it's so ridiculously easy to make, that you'll wonder why you don't make it all the time.

Okay, maybe the reason you don't make it all the time is because it's ingredients are pretty much sugar and butter- and you know better than to eat stuff like that all the time, but still.

These directions are so simple they're almost laughable. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish, and then dump your apple pie pie filling, pineapple, cake mix, and melted butter (in that order) into your dish. Bake at 350F for 50 minutes, and that's it! Top with whipped cream if you're feeling extra fancy. :)

Apple Pineapple Dump Cake

• 1 can apple pie filling
• 1 can pineapple, your choice of style: chunks, tidbits, crushed, or slices will all work!
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted butter

Tip: any parts of the cake mix that are not coated with the butter will remain powdery- melt more if needed to cover any large dry spots before baking.

Happy Desserting!

Strawberry Shortcake

Hi everyone!

There's only one month left until summer! Although if you're in Southern California, then you might argue that it's been summer already for awhile now.

Either way, do you know what goes so well with summer? Fruit and whipped cream. Mmm. Add a sweet and best of all- simple- shortcake biscuit? Perfection. I would say the most time consuming part of this dessert is making the whipped cream- if you're in a pinch, there's nothing wrong with canned dessert topping!

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Wash and slice your strawberries, combine with sugar to coat and set aside.

Stir together Bisquick, milk, sugar, and melted butter until a soft dough forms. Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet and sprinkle with turbinado sugar (raw sugar). Bake for 13-15 minutes until lightly golden brown.

If making homemade whipped cream, place heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl and whip on medium-high until soft peaks form. Add in sugar to taste.

Mmmmm

Cut your biscuit in half, place strawberries and whipped cream in the middle, and close with the other half.

If you're feeling crazy, place some extra strawberries and whipped cream on top. :)

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with a glass of milk!

Strawberry Shortcake

• 4 Cups Strawberries
• 2 tbs Sugar for Strawberries
• 2 1/3 Cups Bisquick
• 2/3 Cup Milk
• 3 tbs Sugar
• 3 tbs Butter or Margarine Melted
• 1/2 Cup Whipping Cream, or Canned Dessert Topping\

Happy Desserting!