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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

"The Cheesecake Factory" Pumpkin Cheesecake

Crust:
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
5 TB butter
1 TB sugar

Filling:
24 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice

Directions:
Combine the crust ingredients and press into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake at 350* for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and spices.

Pour the batter over the crust. Bake at 350* for 60-70 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Serve with whipped cream.

Holiday Popcorn

This is a festive, easy, and tasty popcorn treat that is great to make around Christmas time!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
6 ounces white chocolate chips
Crushed candy canes, to taste - I used about 5 or so

Directions:
Pop the popcorn and set aside. Melt the white chocolate chips. Once the chips are melted, stir in the crushed candy canes. Pour the chocolate/candy cane mixture into the popcorn and mix thoroughly; you will need to use your hands. Mold into popcorn balls OR break apart into pieces and let harden on wax paper.