Now That's What I'm Talkin' About - New York Style Cheesecake

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Make Enough to Freeze for Your Next Fix



New York Style Cheesecake with Fresh Blackberries and Chambord Sauce

 Now That's What I'm Talkin' About -
New York Style Cheesecake
I am not even kidding you when I say this is by far the BEST New York Style Cheesecake I have ever made. It reminded me of Cheesecake we would get on our trips to New York. The crust is like a buttery short bread that is crisp and has a slight hint of lemon. You can add any topping you want or none at all. It is perfect just the way it is. I topped my cheesecake with Fresh Blackberries and a Chambord and Blackberry sauce This is a Big cheesecake so if there are any left overs you can freeze them for a snack later.
This recipe is for 12- 15 people.
COST - $20 not including Chambord
TIME - prep 30 min and cook 1 hour ish
LEVEL of DIFFICULTY - 2 on a scale of 1-5 [you must follow recipe]

Cutting in Butter

Cheesecake Supreme [New York Style]
Crust:
1 cup sifted flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 cup butter
1 slightly beaten egg yolk
1/4 tsp vanilla



I made 2 batches of the crust. I just love it ! I used 1 full batch for the bottom and 1 full batch for the sides. It only calls for 1 batch for both the sides and the bottom. If you do it with the 1 batch method you should expect the crust to only come up about 1 inch on the sides. Still good...just NOT as good.

Cheesecake Filling

 Filling:
5 8oz packs of cream cheese
1/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp grated lemon peel
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
5 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup whipping cream





Patting Crust to Sides

Make Crust:
combine first 3 ingredients. Cut in butter till mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Blend thoroughly. Pat 1/3 or the dough [or in my case...1 full batch] on the bottom of a 9" spring form pan. [I used a 10" pan] with sides removed. Bake in hot oven 400 degrees for about 8 minutes or till golden; cool. Attach side to bottom, butter, and pat remaining dough on sides. Because It used 1 full batch for the sides the crust came up to the top of the pan. Once I poured in the filling,  I pushed the dough down til it was slightly above it.

Before Baking

Make Filling:
Let cream cheese set out at room temperature to soften [1-1 1/2 hours]. Beat creamy. Add vanilla and lemon peel. Mix next 3 ingredients, gradually blend into cheese. Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beating after each just to blend. Gently stir in whipping cream.Turn into crust-lined pan.

After Baking

Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes; reduce heat to 300 degrees and continue baking for an additional 55 minutes. Remove from oven; cool. Loosen sides with spatula 30 minutes. Remove sides at the end of 1 hour. Allow to cool 2 hour longer. I love it after it has cooled overnight in the fridge. But really who am I kidding...any temp is good. I topped the cheesecake with fresh blackberries and a Blackberry Chambord Sauce. I combined 1 cup seedless Blackberry Jam with 1/4 cup of Chambord [blackberry liqueur]. Mix together and pour over Cheesecake. You can do it all at once and serve it that way or make individual plates.

Next time you want to impress someone ... MAKE THIS ! or if you have 2 days off in a row and need and fix. Either way I hope you make this ASAP because I know you are going to love it. It was HEAVENLY !
Happy Baking and Eating.
Til Later,
Your Gay Husband





Easter: Egg Shaped Cookie as Seating Tag/Gift

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Edible Gift to Celebrate Easter

Sugar Cookie

Egg Shaped Cookie as Seating Tag/Gift
It is so much fun setting a table for a party. Part of that is assigning seats. This year I am using a 6" Egg Shaped Sugar Cookie as their Name Tag for seating. I used Yellow frosting with Yellow sprinkles. If you can't tell yellow is my accent color.
COST - $10 for 12. I made 3 batches and served small egg cookies on a plate for snacking
TIME - 1 hour
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY - 2 on scale of 1-5

Supplies

For this project you will need...
Sugar Cookie Dough and Frosting
6" Egg Template
Paper Name Tag
Sharpy Pen
Easter Grass
Hole Punch
Clear Bags big enough for cookie to fit.
I bought these bags at the Dollar Tree 12 for $1



Sugar Cookie Dough

For these Yummy Sugar Cookies you will need...
1 3/4 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder [check expiration date]
1/2 cup butter room temperature
3/4 cup white sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla





Beat butter and sugar 3-4 minutes till fluffy, add egg and vanilla and mix til Incorporated, add dry ingredients and mix til it forms crumbs. It will smoosh together. Cut it in half and wrap in Saran wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degree. Roll out dough onto a slightly floured surface to 1/4 of an inch. This make a PERFECT cookie. Cut out Egg shapes using you egg template. Print Egg Template here. ad place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 13 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.
PERFECT Frosting
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp vanilla
1-1 1/2 Tbsp milk
Add whatever food coloring you like and mix until incorporated.

Egg Cookie with Frosting and Sprinkles

For the best impact I used Yellow Frosting with Yellow Sprinkles. Now just take your cookie and put it in the bag. Make a hole with the hole punch in the corner of the blank name card then using your Yellow Easter Grass tie your name tag at the top of the bag. Write the name on it with a sharpy pen and place it on the designated plate. Your Guest will love these cookie. I recommend suggesting that everyone take them home to enjoy later that day. Tell them to think of the great time they had at your Easter party while the are in decadence heaven.




I hope this inspires you to make a gift for your guests that can also double as their Name badge for seating.
Hoppy Easter !
Til Later,
Your Gay Husband

Oatmeal Crisps - Vintage Recipe

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Look to Vintage Cookbooks for Great Recipes

Oatmeal Crisps




Oatmeal Crisps - Vintage Recipe
Calling all kids! You'll love these good cookies with a mug of milk...is the way this recipe starts in my 1953 edition of Better Homes and Garden NEW Cookbook. That's right 1953. I love Vintage Cookbooks. My friends and family for years have bought me cookbooks. There is just one problem I don't use them. I like to make up my own recipes for the most part or have one handed down except for baking. I always use a recipe. I love this cookbook because it answers almost every question that a cook might have. They are always putting out updated versions of the cookbook but they are not the same. I have a few other Vintage Cookbooks that I hold close as well. If you ever run across a cookbook from the 1950's you must buy it.

Cream Butter and Sugars

1 cup shortening [you can use butter]
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

Mixed Cookie Dough

You can add nuts, crasins or choc chips if you like. Add 1/2 cup each. I added mini choc chips and Crasins.
These are all optional  ingredients. This recipe calls for shortening [vintage] but you can use butter if you want. I used the shortening and they were out of this world.

Wrap Into a Log Shape 2"

Thoroughly cream shortening [butter] and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. sift together flour, salt, and baking soda; add to creamed mixture. Stir in rolled oats and any other of your optional ingredients such as nuts etc.

Cut into 1/4" - 1/2" Coins

Form dough in a roll [you can make 2 rolls so it is easier to handle]
1 1/2" - 2" in diameter. Wrap in saran wrap or wax paper and put in fridge for at least 30 minutes. I put mine in for 2 hours.

2 Sizes

With a sharp knife, slice cookies about 1/4" - 1/2" thick. Bake on ungreased cooky sheet in moderate oven [350 degrees] 10 minutes or till lightly browned. Make about 5 dozen.

Masterpiece

I made a couple of different sizes. For the bite size cookie I cut my disk into 4 pieces. It make it feel like you are not eating so much because they are so small and harmless. Cooking times will vary a few minutes depending on size. Keep your oven light on so you won't need to keep opening the door to check on them






I'm telling you they were sooooo good. I only cooked what you saw here and froze the rest for later. Prep once and enjoy a multitude of times.
Let me know how you like them....
Til Later,
Your Gay Husband

Chocoholics Hot Fudge Sauce

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Savor the Sweet Darkness

Hot Fudge Sauce on Mint Chip Ice Cream

Chocoholics Hot Fudge Sauce
This is smack yo momma good Hot Fudge Sauce and it is so easy to make. If you are some one who likes a deep rich chocolaty sauce to put on ice cream, look no further. I am not kidding when I say this is the BEST Hot Fudge Sauce I have ever had and it seems like I have lived my life taste testing...TEST no more.

choc·o·hol·ic (chôk-hô l k, -h l k, ch k-) n. A person who craves chocolate. [choc(olate) + (alc)oholic.] chocoholic, chocaholic [ˌtʃɒkəˈhɒlɪk]

OK Really this is how I made it...

In the Beginning

You will need
1 3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
2 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

... Almost there

Put a sauce pan on medium and add ingredients [except for salt and vanilla] in order making sure each ingredient is fully Incorporated before adding the next. When you get to the butter just add 1 tablespoon at a time. Once everything is melted together remove from the heat and add a dash of salt and 1 tsp of vanilla.

Viola The PERFECT Hot Fudge Sauce

Set aside and let cool. You can store this in the fridge and use a little at a time... like a slow drip. Just put the amount you want in the microwave for 15 second intervals until you get the consistency and heat you like. As you can see this makes alot ! A perfect hostess gift... just put it in a small mason jar with the recipe. This is a perfect excuse to make more.





Just get creative and you can use this a base for almost any flavor like almond with white chocolate, milk chocolate and mint. The possibilities are endless. Let me know what flavor you end up making. This is also perfect for an Ice Cream Party.
Stop what you are doing and print this page before it is too late.
Enjoy the sugar buzz.
Til Later,
Your Gay Husband

Banana Bread mmm mmm Good

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Got Old Bananas...Make Banana Bread



Toasted Banana Bread with Butter

Banana Bread
OK so last week I got over zealous with bananas. I bought more than we were able to eat before they got brown. What's this....brown bananas there may have well been a sign saying MAKE BANANA BREAD WITH ME. So I did.
TIME - 10min prep 45 min cook
COST - $2-$5 depending on ingred
Level of Difficulty 2 on a scale of 1-5

Straight from Oven

Here is what you will need...
1/2 cup butter room temp
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup ripe bananas
11/2 Tbsp milk
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Adding Bananas to Mixture

Cream butter and sugar. Beat eggs till light. Add bananas and milk, combine with first mixture. Add dry ingredients. If you like Nuts add them at this time about 1 cup.

Bake for 45 minutes

Bake in greased loaf pans for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out cleans.
You can  garnish with Banana chips sticking 3-5 in the top.
I love mine best toasted with butter. It is also good sprinkled with brown sugar as well.
These make great hostess gifts !
I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.





Til Later,
Your Gay Husband

OMG Carrot Cake

Your Gay Husband Tip of the Day :

Eat CARROTS they are good for your eye sight.

OMG Carrot Cake

OMG Carrot Cake
The other day I just had this overwhelming need for Carrot Cake. MyGaySister is a pastry chef, she gave me this recipe and all I have to say is OMG !

COST - $5 including frosting
Time - 1 hour
Level of Difficulty 2 on a scale of 1-5

Here is how it is made...

Baking 3 Layers

In a large bowl combine...
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of sifted flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
Add...
1 1/2 cups oil
4 eggs
3 cups grated carrots
Mix till combined. You can add 1 cup of 1 or all of the following...drained crushed pineapple, coconut, nuts.
put into greased 8"or 9" pans and bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove and let cool completely before frosting. Do not rush it.

To Die For Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting is a MUST for this cake. DO NOT VARY.
1 8oz package cream cheese
1 cube of soften butter
1 box powdered sugar sifted
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts [optional] for garnish
Cream butter and cream cheese, add vanilla and powdered sugar, mix til combined. Grab a spoon...it is good.




Frosting your cake

 Put a small amount of frosting between each layer and use the rest for the top and sides. I dollop a large amount to the center of the cake and work it down around the edges until it is completely frosted. Make sure to use ALL of the frosting. Take your time and feel the rhythm of the frosting. This will prevent tears and clumps.

with Vanilla Ice Cream

What could be easier. Add a scoop or two of Vanilla ice cream and have a moment to yourself. A nice glass of ice cold milk is a perfect combination.







I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.
Til Later,
YourGayHusband

Southern Blueberry Crunch Dessert

YourGayHusband Tip of the Day:
Save room for DESSERT


Blueberry Crunch
We have some great friends that live one block up from us. Greg loves to cook. He cracks me up...he finds his recipes from the newspaper and try's them out on us. The picture does not do the Blueberry Crunch justice. It is sweet and yummy.







COST - $4
TIME -10 mins not including cook time
Level of Difficulty-1 on a scale of 1-5
An easy blueberry crunch with pineapple, blueberries, and cake mix.
Ingredients:
1 can crushed pineapple, 20 ounces, do not drain
3 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
3/4 cup sugar
1 package yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup pecans, chopped
Preparation:
Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Put pineapple, blueberries in pan; sprinkle with 3/4 cup sugar. Pour dry cake mix over blueberry mixture then drizzle melted butter over the dry mix. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar and chopped pecans. Do not stir. Bake at 350° about 45 minutes. It is best with Vanilla ice cream and served when it is still warm.
Dig in and enjoy, I know we did.
Til Later,
YourGayHusband

New Neighbor and Cupcakes

YourGayHusband Tip of the Day:

Take the first step...

NEW Neighbor and Cup Cakes

I don't know how it was when you were growing up, but for me it was an entire neighborhood that was involved. I could even get in trouble by other parents. Our families were at times intertwined. Times were different then. What I do to keep the neighborly feeling alive and perhaps make new friends along the way, is what anyone else would do...woo them with sugar filled food. In this case Yellow Butter cake with Milk Chocolate Frosting by Pillsbury.

We just had the house next to us rented. I heard they were empty nesters that wanted to downsize and live at the Lake. I baked them 1 dozen mini Cupcakes with a card from a local artist welcoming them to the neighborhood. I met the family and really enjoyed them.

I still had some extra cupcakes so I decided to bring some up to a family with an 8 year old son who loves them. That's when I was inspired to use sprinkles. Isn't it amazing how a simple act of

thoughtfulness can impact someones day and perhaps a give you back smile.

Take the first step...it is worth it.

Til Later,

YourGayHusband

Happy Valentines Day

YourGayHusbandTip of the Day:
Creativity Sparks Romance..so get Creative

Happy Valentines Day or what my friend Leslee calls it, Happy Single Awareness Day.
I love Valentines Day. I is also my Anniversary. Believe it or not w have been together for 23 years. Just not in the biblical since...not yet. One day we will be legal. Until then it is back to loving everyday.


Who said you can't say I Love You with food.
As part of my gift to MyGayHusaband, I made these yummy sugar cookies with icing.


I started with Pillsbury pre-made sugar cookie mix for $1.25. You just need to add butter and an egg. I started by making a stencil for the letters I was going to use, in this case...I LOVE YOU with some extra heart cookies. I logged into a Word document and typed in the letters I needed. I set the size at 450 and the font is Veranda BOLD. Use whatever font you like best. I printed them and cut them out. I used these as my stencils to cut out my cookie dough.




Preheat oven to 375 degrees and cook for 9- 11 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes before frosting. For the frosting you will need 2 cups of confection sugar and 1-2 Tbsp milk with 1 tsp of vanilla and food coloring. Using a butter knife frost the cookies. Let the frosting set over night for best results.

COST - $3 for everything

TIME - 30 min not including cool time
Level of difficulty - 2 0n a scale of 1-5 [fool proof]

Get creative and have FUN. I made extra Hearts to give as gifts to friends and neighbors...they loved them.

This idea can be used for several occasions. Just make your design and go for it.

I hope you have a great Valentines Day !

Til Later,

YourGayHusband

Pretty Pink "low calorie" Cake

YourGayHusband Tip of the Day:

Decadence is not always fattening

Soda PoP Cake

This cake is a great way to get your Sweet fix without all the extra calories. This cake is 70 calories per serving without frosting.

Like - Easy and low Calories

Dislike - nothing

Level of Difficulty -1 on a scale of 1-5

Time - 40 mins not including cool time

I used Pillsbury strawberry cake mix for this cake but you can use any flavor you like. You can do the same with your soda.

I used Canada Dry Gingerale for this one.

Here's is how you make it..

Blend Cake Mix and 1 can of Soda and mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.

Put in a preheated oven at 350 degrees and bake for 30 or until toothpick comes our clean.

THAT'S IT !!!! What could be easier.

If you want to be decadent with the frosting add...

1 box confections sugar

1 80z package of cream cheese [room temp]

1 stick unsalted butter [room temp]

2-4 Tbsp Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

1 drop red food color

Blend on medium for 2-3 minutes[the longer you blend it the fluffier it gets]

This frosting is to Die for.

I hope you enjoy, I know I did.

Til Later,

YourGayHusband

Sinful Cinnamon Rolls with Icing

YourGayHusband Tip of the Day:

Don't rush perfection...it is worth it.

Mmmm Sinful Cinnamon Rolls

I have been asked by several viewers about the recipe for Sinful Cinnamon Rolls...so by popular demand here it goes.

I came up with this recipe on day when I was just having a carb attack.

Level of difficulty on scale of 1-5 is a 2.

You can't rush so enjoy the process.

Time - 1 hour without rising times.

Like - the home-made taste of fresh Cinnamon Rolls. Nothing compares. Using premade dough.

Dislike - I am by nature an impatient person. I make sure to do this when I have a couple of days off in a row so I can enjoy the process as well as the end result....yummy

Here is what you will need...

1- 1lb Bridgford frozen Ready-Dough

1 - cup brown sugar

1 - Tbsp cinnamon

1 - cube of butter [1/2 cup]

optional - 1/2 cup of toasted nuts chopped finely or 1/2 cup raisins.

Follow the directions on the package of Bridgford Ready-Dough for thawing and rising. In this case BRAND is everything. There are a variety of frozen doughs and most do not taste as good.
Once the dough has completed thawing and rising, PUNCH it down...this means to flatten the dough.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8"-1/4"thickness. It will be about 16" by 20".

Take your butter and cut into pea sized pieces and sprinkle on the rolled out dough. Do the same with the brown sugar, cinnamon and any other ingredients leaving one end with nothing, about 1". At the other end start to gently roll the dough onto itself and keep on going til your hit the end. You will have a 16" long snake shape. Cut this into 8 - 2" pieces... the easiest way is to cut in half then cut in half again and so on until you have 8 even pieces. Put these into a 9"by 13" pan or you can use an extra large muffin pan.

Cover lightly with Saran Wrap and let rise and double in size. I do this the night before then put the cut cinnamon rolls in the fridge.

Take out 20 minutes before putting in the oven and they are good to go.

I will sprinkle a little brown sugar on them before baking.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and pop them in for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Icing

1 - 8oz package of cream cheese

1 - stick of butter [cold]

1 - box of confectioners sugar
1/2 cup milk

Mix together until it is about the consistency of pancake batter. Spread icing on the cinnamon rolls while they are still warm and serve IMMEDIATELY ! You will have way more icing than you need so get creative with the rest.

Please let me know how you liked them. They are AMAZING !

Til Later,

YourGayHusband

Easy Lemon Meringue Pie yummmmmm

YourGayHusband Tip of the day :
Make sure to let Lemon Meringue Pie cool down completely before serving.

This is a quick and easy Lemon Meringue Pie. It was a Sunday and I wanted something sweet to eat for dessert that night but couldn't decide what ??? I saw that I had a package of Jello Lemon Cook and Serve and a Keebler Graham Cracker pie crust in the pantry. Ta Da...Lemon Meringue Pie it is.

On a scale from 1-5 I rate this a 2 because it has several parts...still easy
Total time was 30minutes not including cool down time.



You will need...
1 package of Jello Cook and Serve lemon pie filling
3 eggs [yolks for filling] [whites for Meringue]
zest of 1 lemon
water
Just follow the directions on the back of the Jello Package.
Once filling has cooled for 10 minutes pour it into Graham Cracker Crust.



For the Meringue ...
3 egg whites [you can use up to 5 depending on how much you like]
1/2 confection sugar...add it slow
1/2 tsp vanilla
Mix this on High until stiff peaks [about 3-5 minutes]
It will look silky.



Pour Meringue on top of pie. It is critical that you make sure you spread the Meringue so it is touching ALL the crust. If you miss this you Meringue will shrink and look like a hat on top. NOT good.
You can also add the zest of one Lemon sprinkled on top.
Pop it into a preheated 350' oven for 10-15 minutes until tips are golden brown.
Let cool 3-4 hours and Dig in !


The total COST was under $5 and will serve 6-8.

The thing I like the BEST is how easy and delicious it is.
The thing I like the LEAST is waiting for it to cool. It is VERY important that you let cool completely or it will fall apart on you.

I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I did.
Til Later,
YourGayHusband