Lemon Cheesecake Bars

I just love lemon bars! They are one of those yummy desserts that you can enjoy year round with a nice warm cup of coffee and a great conversation with friends.
This recipe is very simple and very good! All you need to make these yummy Lemon Cheesecake bars is the following:

1 package lemon cake mix with pudding (OR a yellow cake mix and add one small package of Lemon pudding)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350*
Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Add the egg and oil; mix until well blended. Mixture will be slightly dry. Reserve one cup for the topping, and pat the rest into an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly over the baked crust. Crumble the reserved cake mix mixture over the top.

Bake for an additional 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until filling is set and the topping is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into bars.


And as always ENJOY!!!

Happy Birthday Cupcake

I just love this pan from Wilton! You can do so many things with it and I love the color combination here!

Cranberry & Walnut Pie

This "pie" is absolutely to die for yummy! If you're looking for a new "pie" for the holiday season, give this one a try. Now I say "pie" because it doesn't have a crust like your traditional pies do, which for me is a great thing because I don't like pie crust. Even though this recipe says it's a pie it ends up being more of a cake really. Either way it's really good and simple!
Here is what you will need:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350* Grease one 9 inch pie pan.
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in the cranberries and the walnuts, and toss to coat. Stir in the butter, beaten eggs, and almond extract. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream.
And as always Enjoy!!!

Chocolate-Pumpkin Muffin Tops

These little muffin tops are soooo yummy! And the best part... they probably won't give you your own muffin top! :) Unless you ate all of them...every day...for a week!

But truthfully they are Weight Watchers friendly with only 1WW point each! So enjoy!!

1 chocolate fudge cake mix

1 15 oz can pumpkin (not filling, but real pumpkin)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375* - Line a baking sheet with wax paper

In a large bowl combine all the ingrediants and mix well until blended smooth.

If you want perfectly rounded muffin tops you will need to use a cookie scoop.... since I don't own one I just used a spoon. I like mine a little NOT so perfect! :O)

So using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop the batter on the baking sheet.

Bake for 12-14 minutes. Mine come out perfect at 13 minutes.

Removed and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

These are great for a snack on the run, a breakfast pick me up, or just nibbling on as an after dinner dessert. Anytime you decide to eat them I am sure you'll enjoy them!!!