Chocolate Marbled Cheesecake

Creamy, mousse-like, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and vanilla swirled cheesecake!

It's Crazy Cooking Challenge time again, and there was no arm twisting involved for me to participate: CHEESECAKE!!!

This cheesecake is fancy enough to impress all your guests, yet it's a snap to make.  I made and ate it with a 20 month sitting on my hip the whole time.

As I've mentioned, I'm not fond of graham cracker crusts, so I used a buttery, flakey, brown sugar shortbread crust = perfection! =)

From one hearty appletite to another...happy baking!!!

Chocolate Marbled Cheesecake from Better Homes and Gardens

3 8-ounces packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup milk

3 slightly beaten eggs

4 ounces semisweet chocolate pieces, melted

Crust, family recipe

1/2 cup butter

1/4 packed brown sugar

1 cup unsifted flour

Heat oven 375 F.  Combine all ingredients for the crust and bake in a 9" springform pan for 11-12 minutes.  The crust will not be cooked all the way (do NOT overcook!).  Place the chocolate pieces in an oven-safe bowl and melt in oven the last 5 minutes.

For filling, in a large mixer bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, and vanilla until combined.  Stir in milk and eggs until smooth.  Pour half the filling in partially baked crust.  Mix in melted chocolate to the rest cream cheese mixture.  Pour on top of the vanilla mixture and gently swirl 2-3 times with knife, but resist the urge to mix :)  Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the outside edge appears set when gently shaken.  (An inserted knife will NOT come out clean, but the cheesecake is done!)  Enjoy!

Wanna join the fun?  Head over Tina's by following the link on the button!

From Your Garden, To Your Table: Margarita Pizza

Hot from the oven!

Light, fresh, and easy!  Margarita pizza is one of my favorite summertime meals.  I just love that half the ingredients can be found in my garden, and the other half I can throw together quite easily with fresh ingredients.  All you need are fresh basil leaves, fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pizza sauce and dough!

I made these "personal pan" size so that everyone could make their own to their liking!

Fresh mozzarella makes all the difference!  Trust me and use it =)  I've heard that it's fairly easy to make at home, so I might have to tackle that in the near future.  Enjoy!!!

From one hearty appletite to another...happy cooking!

My favorite pizza dough recipe:

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon yeast

1 1/2 cups water

Mix all ingredients together and let rest 30 minutes.  Roll out, top with sauce and toppings, and cook on lowest baking rack at 425F for 18-20 minutes, or until cheese is browned.