Friday Funny

They aren't hurt!!

Wordless Wednesday

Photobucket

Submitted by Shannon of Gillyweeds

Easy Cherry Cheesecake Bombs


I saw this posted on a forum I go to, no recipe just a picture that sparked a major drool fest, thanks Ginny! I decided to use a vanilla bean cheesecake base. The thing is with DH so busy studying so much I wasn't about to get my cheesecake. You see, I don't make cheesecake, maybe once in a blue moon, if even. It's not that I can't, it's just that DH can, and he does, very well. SO, I choose to say "I can't". I seriously debated whether or not I should make this filling. Why ruin an 8 year streak right? But I wanted these Cheesecake Bombs, so there you go. The cheesecake filling recipe I used is below. I had some trouble with the chocolate, due to my laziness I didn't want to temper any chocolate. In the end i should have just got out good chocolate and tempered it because I ruined the first batch of store bought chocolate I melted in the microwave because I added cream and it seized on me. The second batch was so dry and tough I stirred in some ghee to smooth it out, that made it perfect, but still. (And any excuse to use ghee right?) I wanted to avoid shortening, because I didn't want to have to go to the store and we don't use shortening.

What you need
Maraschino cherries with stems
Vanilla bean cheesecake filling completely cooled- recipe follows
Graham cracker crumbs
Chocolate to coat
2-3 teaspoons Ghee if you're not using a chocolate that will be tempered

Drain the cherries on a paper towel and dry them as much as you can.

Take a scoop of cheesecake filling and mold it around the cherry.




 
I used gloves, I can't tell you how much I love my disposable gloves- they make everything so easy, peeling chilies, rolling meatballs and matzo balls. Anyway.
Now you can coat them in the graham cracker crumbs ( I decided to only do a few because I didn't want my chocolate being contaminated by crumbs) Freeze these until firm.

Melt the chocolate and stir in the ghee so it's smooth and dip the cheesecake bombs in it. Place on a rack or wax paper to set. I placed some of them on top of graham cracker crumbs to set.




Vanilla bean cheesecake filling
(this made enough for the cherry cheesecake bombs and Buttermilk Cherry Cheesecake ice cream. OK we ate some also.)
3 packages of cream cheese (softened and NOT fat free)
1/2 cup sugar (I used Vanilla Bean Specialty Sugar)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs

Beat the cream cheese until smooth in a stand mixer. Or use a hand mixer. 






Add sugar, vanilla, flour and extract. Beat well.


Beat in sour cream. (that's not dirty sour cream I had some vanilla extract get into the measuring cup)

Beat the eggs in one at a time.
Pour into a pie plate and bake at 325 for about 40 minutes. I baked it a little over to make sure it was firm enough for the ice cream and bombs.

See how ugly it is? That's because it doesn't matter if it's pretty, no need for a water bath, slowly cooling it or anything to keep the top from cracking for this project.



Posted originally at GPAC.

Funny Friday


submitted by Alfabette Zoope

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Potato Casserole

OK I know Thanksgiving is over but I had like five sweet potatoes on my counter waiting to grow and take root. I had this on Thanksgiving and I loved it. I did leave my potatoes cubed instead of mashed and cut the sugar way down. But it's so yummy.
I didn't really measure, but here are approximate measurements.
5 sweet potatoes peeled, cubed, boiled until tender and drained
1/3 cup evaporated cane juice - if even that much...
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
ground cinnamon
ground ginger
fresh grated nutmeg
1 cup evaporated milk

Topping stir together-
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons flour

Beat all ingredients fur potatoes in a bowl, except the potatoes. Stir in the potatoes, trying to keep them as whole as possible. Pour into a buttered baking dish. Top with mixed topping ingredients. Bake for 30-35 minutes, cover with foil if your nuts are getting too dark.
Submitted by Love Abounds, originally posted at GPAC.

December Giveaway: Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Etsy HC Team! what is your favorite holiday tradition? Tell us for a chance to win our December giveaway!

From Earth*School: Winter Holidays Around the World curriculum unit, print

From Boutique Linnea:  3 cold processed hand made soaps, one of each of the following scents: candy, neroli honey and hot date.  You can read more about Linnea Bare soaps here

From Zimsy Whimsy: the most adorable small AIO, featuring a Star of David embroidery. You can read about ZW's AIOs here (and find specifics about this AIO as well!)

From SEWSational Sarah: 2 gingerbread gift bags

From Sweet Slings: Fill this boxy bag with goodies for a teacher or secret Santa or stuff  a stocking quickly! This bag measures 4" tall, 5" wide and 9" long.  It features a zippered closure, handle and coordinating  inner lining.  Our bags are reinforced with lightweight woven interfacing for shape.

From Holden's Landing:  a mini stocking, made from cute reindeer flannel, measuring just over 12" from cuff to toe

 Total retail value:  over $100



To Enter:
* Leave us a comment telling us your favorite holiday tradition.  Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, St. Nicholas Day, Santa Lucia Day ... anything!


Additional entries:

* Search "team hyena" on etsy and leave a comment with your favorite item
* Blog about, post on facebook about or tweet the giveaway and leave a link in the comments
* Fan the team on facebook and leave a comment saying you did 
* Follow the team blog and leave a comment saying you're a follower

Giveaway is open worldwide and a winner will be chosen using random.org on Friday morning, December 10th.  Good luck! 


Congrats to comment #83! 

Funny Friday! A noise/distraction eradicator!!!

Keeps out the distractions!

Just in case you get chilly while you are working at your computer...keeps your hands and head warm, too!


Submitted by Shannon of Gillyweeds

Wordless Wednesday

My two year old got a  hold of my "handle with care" stamp. Stamped her whole body. Great reminder