Nina and I love to shop. Most Saturdays are spent at the ice rink for figure skating, then we head to Aroma Joe’s for a homemade soda and off to shopping.
Sometimes we have household shopping to do, other times we just like to walk around the stores and see what we see.
One of our favorite stores is Barnes and Noble. We could hang out there all day. I happen to be in love with children’s books and young adult books . They are easy and quick to read, intensely creative and exciting from start to finish. I’ll be sharing some of my, and the kids’ favorites with you soon.
Of course then there’s the cooking section. I have a bit of a cookbook obsession and honestly, it takes quite a bit of restraint for me to leave empty-handed. My husband can’t understand why I have to have an actual book when I can get everything on the internet. But, one of my favorite things to do is sit on the couch with a steaming cup of tea and thumb through the pages, flagging everything that catches my eye and makes me drool.
One Saturday, we were looking around and Nina asked if she could get a book. A cookbook! She wanted a cookbook! I was gushing with mom pride! We looked through it together to make sure that it had recipes that we would actually try, and even though it was a book for kids, almost every page was something I wanted to eat and that Nina could make with little to no assistance.
Sold!
These cute little cheesecakes are one of many recipes from that book. She made these all by herself. Literally, zero help from me. Again, mom pride!
The time I spend with Nina in the kitchen, is some of the best bonding moments we have. I love that I’m teaching her life skills, it also helps with her math (hello weights and measurements!) and allows her to be creative and also taste new foods that she might not otherwise try.
If you are looking for a great cookbook for your kids, one that doesn’t try to turn sandwiches into butterflies and veggies into caterpillars and ladybugs. This is real, delicious food that is easy enough for your kids to put together and everyone will eat. I cannot recommend this book enough. This is not a paid ad, just so you know. This is just me telling you this is one of my favorite cookbooks and I know you and your kids will love it. Click on the book below to order your copy.
*Disclosure: This is an affiliate link which means I receive a small payment if you make a purchase through this link. Thank you for supporting my coffee habit!
Click on the book to see some other recipes
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 sleeve graham crackers (approx 9)
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbls unsalted butter melted
Filling
- 2 pkg cream cheese, softened 8 oz each
- 1 c sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 eggs large
- 1/4 c heavy cream
Fruit Topping
- 1/4 c seedless jam (strawberry or raspberry) melted
- fresh raspberries and/or strawberries
Instructions
Prepare crust
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Preheat oven to 350F . Line 12 muffin pan cups with paper cupcake liners
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In a food processor with blade attachment, pulse graham crackers, sugar and salt until finely ground. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles wet sand.
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Press about 1 heaping tablespoon of crumb mixture into the bottom of each liner. I used the bottom of a shot glass to press evenly
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Bake for 5 minutes or until pale golden. Cool completely on wire racks.
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Reduce oven temperature to 325F.
Prepare Filling
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In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and sugar for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
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Beat in vanilla and salt until combined.
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Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
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Beat in cream. Divide filling evenly among prepared liners.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes or until filling is set but still slightly jiggly and moist in the center.
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Let cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes; transfer cheesecakes to wire racks to cool completely.
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place fresh fruit on top and brush melted jam over the tops to lightly glaze.
