Homemade Chocolate Cream Cheese Mints {Recipe}

These mints are perfect for a special Valentine, or any special occasion. And they are really, really easy to make.

What You Need
4 oz. (half of a block) of cream cheese, at room temperature
1 pound (approx. 3-5 cups) powdered sugar
2 tsp. creme de menthe (or 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract)*
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
 Either:
  10 oz. Chocolate Almond Bark (or Candy Melts)
  or Semi-sweet chocolate for melting

*I prefer Creme de Menthe for my mint-flavored treats. I just think the taste is better. You can find it in the liquor store or liquor aisle (if you don't live in Minnesota). For this recipe, the clear version would be better. I was stuck with green because that's what I usually carry.
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Chocolate Cheesecake with Peanut Butter Crust {Recipe}

It's that time of year... when I make a ridiculous chocolate dessert for my husband's birthday... This year's entry: Chocolate Cheesecake with Peanut Butter Cookie Crust.

What You Need:
Peanut Butter Crust:
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 stick of butter - cold
3/4 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg

Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:
3- 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup sour cream (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 eggs (at room temperature)
6 oz. melted chocolate (semisweet recommended)

*Yield: One 9-10" Round Cheesecake- Serves about 16-20 people.
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Cranberry-White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies {Recipe}

These oatmeal cookies made me a very popular spouse at my husband's office.
They take an extra step or two, to toast and grind some oats, but they're very worth it.

What You Need:
3 1/2 cups flour*
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup vegetable shortening**
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs (large), at room temperature
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups toasted quick or rolled oats
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
Optional: 1 1/2 cups walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Notes:
*You can substitute 1 cup ground oatmeal for 1 cup of white flour if you want to.
** I like to use half butter and half shortening to help keep these cookies softer. You can use all butter, if you wish, just know that they'll be a little crispier.

Yield: about 6 dozen 2-3" round cookies
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Cake Decorating and Baking Classes {Minnesota}

Courtesy: TwinCities.com

Come take a class with me this winter/spring!!
I have classes for cake decorating, cupcakes, chocolates, cake pops... if you don't see one you like, we can always set up a workshop or private party to do something you'd like better!

Cake Decorating 101
Thursdays Jan. 30 & Feb. 6. White Bear Lake 6-9pm
Thursdays March 6 & 13. West St. Paul 6-9pm

Easy Homemade Chocolates
Sunday, February 9. Crystal. 2-4pm
Monday, February 10. Maplewood. 6:30-8:30pm

Cake Decorating 201
(Must have taken Cake Decorating 101 - or have cake decorating experience)
Thursdays, Feb. 20 & 27. Maplewood. 6-9pm

Gourmet Cupcakes Made Easy
Saturday, February 22. Northfield. 9:30am-12:30pm
Thursday, March 20. Stillwater. 6-9pm
Monday, March 24. White Bear Lake. 6-9pm

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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls {Recipe}

My sister couldn't believe it when I said I'd never made homemade cinnamon rolls before these. I don't know, it just seems like a lot of work.
I will say that these aren't in any way simple, but none of the work is confusing or hard, they just take a lot of time.

In the end, though, I say they're worth it.
A friend, who told me she holds her breath when she walks by Cinnabon at the mall... (Gasp! I know, crazy, right?!)... actually tried these at a brunch I hosted, and liked them enough to have another!!

What You Need:
For the dough:
2 pkgs. yeast (approx. 5 tsp.)
1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
1 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs (separated)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter (unsalted) or vegetable oil
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt

For the filling:
2-3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted

For the icing:
8 oz. (1 block) cream cheese
2-3 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2-3 Tbsp. milk

Yield: Three 8-9" round pans with 10-12 cinnamon rolls each.

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'Tween Girl Birthday Party: Animal Print Cupcakes

One of the cake-y things I do is go to birthday parties and workshops in the Twin Cities and teach cake, cupcake or cookie decorating. I tend to have a lot of 10-14 year-old girls at the parties, and one wanted to go with a "fashionista" idea. So, we came up with these really, really easy cupcakes.

What You Need:
2-3 dozen standard-sized cupcakes
Homemade Marshmallow Fondant*
Ball-shaped sprinkles
Parchment or waxed paper
Powdered sugar
Rolling pin
Large round biscuit or cookie cutter

* Note: I made two batches of fondant. One white and one using 3/4 cup chocolate chips, melted. I colored some of the fondant pink, yellow and black, and saved some white and some light brown.

** Note #2: The top row of cupcakes above shows the fondant decorations atop a cupcake swirl, if you go that route, you'll need to make some icing, as well.
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