1 Peanut Butter Pecan Cheesecake

My recipe consists of a Peanut Butter Cheesecake combined with a Pecan Shortbread Crust and Whipped Cream Topping.

Ingredients:

Pecan Shortbread Crust:
• 1 1/3 cup pecan shortbread cookie crumbs - about 1 (5.0 oz. pkg.)
• 3/4 cup chopped roasted pecans
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tsp. cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
• 2 pkgs (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:
• 2 oz. cream cheese - softened
• 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Wrap the outside of a 10" springform pan with heavy duty foil. My pan happens to be in a heart shape, but you can also use a round shape pan.

Crust:
1. Pulse shortbread cookies in a food processor or place cookies in a plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin.
2. Combine cookie crumbs and other dry ingredients in a small bowl. Stir in melted butter and mix using a fork.
3. Press into bottom of pan.
4. Bake 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned; remove from oven, let cool.

Filling:
1. Beat cream cheese and sugar for one minute until smooth.
2. Add peanut butter and beat until just combined.
3. Add vanilla and eggs; one at a time. Beat until blended.
4. Poor mixture over crust.
5. Place springform in a large shallow roasting pan. Add enough hot water to cover pan half-way.
6. Bake 55-60 minutes or until top is golden brown.
7. Remove pan from water bath. Remove foil.
8. Cool on wire rack at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Topping:
1. Mix first 3 ingredients and beat at low speed until blended.
2. Slowly add whipping cream and increase speed to medium-low.
3. Increase speed to just medium; beat until firm peaks form.
4. Swirl topping over cheesecake.

Cover cheesecake and refrigerate until chilled, at least 6 hours or overnight.

To serve, cut into wedges and garnish with chopped toasted pecans.

Creamy peanut butter and rich sweetened cream cheese are delicious on their own, but when combined with a pecan shortbread crust for this cheesecake, they add up to something even more wonderful. Enjoy it!!!

HAPPY FALL!!!

Linking to:
Today's Creative Blog
debbie-debbiedoos

27 FALL Leaf Wreath

The crisp AUTUMN days are here!!! FALL is my favorite season of the year. I love the vibrant earthy colors and the decorations that transform any home into a Bountiful Harvest. 

I love the Rustic look of Burlap. To celebrate the Season I decided to create a Leaf Wreath to dress up my front door for welcoming FALL. I combined a Straw Wreath, Burlap and Fall Fabrics to create my wonderful and simple Fall wreath.

Here is what you will need to make this wreath.....
 

Materials:

• 14" diameter Straw Wreath
• Burlap
• Fabrics - I purchased five different Fall prints; 1/4 yard each
• Fusible Fleece - purchased at Joann's Fabrics
• Leaf Pattern
• Tracing Paper

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Natural Raffia
• Sharp pair of Scissors
• Sharpie

Directions:

1. Cut Burlap into long strips. I cut 4 strips measuring approximately 36" each.
2. Wrap wreath with Burlap strips. Tack with hot glue gun as you wrap strips around the wreath.
Fuse Leaves:
3. Cut fabric in half, measuring approximately
   9" x 21". You should be able to fit 5 leaves on each panel. Save the second panel for other projects.

4. Following manufacturer's instructions; fuse fleece to wrong side of each fabric panel.

5. Trace and cut your Leaf Pattern. Use the pattern to trace it on the fused side of the fabric. I used a sharpie to trace the leaf pattern. Cut fused leaves inside the tracing lines.

6. I cut 25 leaves (5 of each fabric panel).
Assembly:
7. Starting at the center top of the wreath, begin attaching the fused leaves using the hot glue gun; overlapping them as you go.

8. Continue adding all the leaves until the wreath is completely covered.

9. Gather several lengths of Raffia and tie to form a Bow. Trim ends and glue to the wreath's bottom section.

And here it is.... my colorful FALL wreath is ready to be displayed.
I hope you give this tutorial a try.

HAPPY FALL!!!!

Linking to:

Today's Creative Blog
debbie-debbiedoos