Red, White, & Blue {Cookie Decorating}

 My mom makes the best sugar cookies and homemade frosting in the world. not kidding. As a child I always loved decorating cookies, and now my sisters and I still love to do it with my mom and our kids (and occasionally a wiener dog named Derby too)!

We made these on the 2nd to take to our 3rd of July party, and it was so hard for the little ones to not eat the cookies! We told them they could each have one, and then we had to save the rest for the party.  The temptation was just too much for my Jacky boy.  He grabbed one off the table and announced that he was going outside to eat it. I quickly said, "No Jacky. Come here now." He handed over the stolen cookie and then covered his face with both hands and burst into tears. It was the saddest thing ever. Needless to say we went outside and ate a cookie together! 

Sometimes you just have to let them have another cookie.

xo

Mmm D'Licious: Cherry Cheesecake

Friday was my husband's birthday and no birthday celebration is complete without dessert!! I guess I could have added this as my reason #9 that I love Sean- our mutual LOVE for cheesecake {and this cherry cheesecake in particular}.  Ok- I may love it a little more than he does. I even make it for myself on my birthday! The recipe comes from my great-grandmother Mimi's kitchen.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 (8oz) packages cream cheese {take out of refrigerator at least 30 min. before to let soften}
3 eggs
1 C sugar
11/2 tsp vanilla

16oz sour cream
3-6 Tbs sugar
1tsp vanilla

Crust:
32 graham cracker squares
4 Tbs sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2/3 cube butter

My cheat: 2 cans Comstock More Fruit Cherry Pie Filling for the topping

Directions:
Mix all ingredients for the crust in a food processor
Press firmly into 10in. spring form pan
Refrigerate

In mixing bowl beat cream cheese until soft
In separate bowl, beat eggs until fluffy
Add sugar gradually to eggs and beat (on high) until smooth and pale yellow
Add vanilla
Combine egg mixture to the cream cheese and mix thoroughly
Pour into crust

Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes (until center is firm)

A few minutes before it is done, mix sour cream, vanilla and sugar together
{I add sugar until I think it tastes good...usually 6 Tbs.}
Spread over hot cheesecake and return to oven for 5 min.

Remove and allow to cool.
Refrigerate for several hours. I have done it the day before, or the day of (in the morning for that evening).

I usually add the cherries before serving, but you can do it as soon as the cheesecake is cool. I spoon them on because you do not want all the syrup, just the cherries!

*Warning* Keep out of reach of small children...may cause sticky fingers!

                Enjoy...he did!

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