Name: Mocha Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 Oreo cookies; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 3 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup chocolate chips; 1/4 cup espresso powder; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups Oreo cookie chunks; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted; Cool Whip and extra cookies, for garnish

Mocha Oreo Cheesecake

So last Friday was National Cheesecake Day...
seriously who comes up with all these "different" national days?
But, since it was a "holiday" of sorts,
we celebrated with this delicious ooey gooey cheesecake 🙂
(I will take any chance I can get to make cheesecake)

Does anyone else remember the Oreo cookies that were filled
with coffee cream?

They were amazing, and of course they stopped making them.
So I wanted to kind of replicate that in a cheesecake.

I give you
the Mocha Oreo Cheesecake!!!!

Oh how tasty and pretty this was...
almost too pretty to cut.

Mind you I did say almost...
once we cut into it
there was no stopping.

Yup, it is time to hit the gym again...
all these yummy treats are taking a toll 🙂
But they are so worth it.

Recipe

Mocha Oreo Cheesecake Recipe

Yield: 9 inch cheesecake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Oreo cookies and coffee turn this cheesecake into a delicious mocha experience.

Ingredients

For the Crust

20 Oreo cookies
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Cheesecake

3 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips
¼ cup espresso powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 ½ cups Oreo cookie chunks
½ cup white chocolate chips, melted
Cool Whip and extra cookies, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper.
Use a food processor to pulse the cookies with cream filling into crumbs. Mix the cookie crumbs and butter together. Press into prepared pan. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl at 50% power for 45 seconds. Stir. Heat an additional 30 seconds. Stir until melted and creamy.
Add the sour cream, melted chocolate chips, espresso powder, and vanilla until thoroughly mixed.
Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl, then mix into the batter gently until combined.
Stir in the cookie chunks in by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes.
Run a knife around the outside edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Refrigerate overnight to let flavors develop.
Remove outside of pan and decorate with melted white chocolate drizzles. Serve with Cool Whip and extra Oreo crumbs and chunks.

Notes

*Feel free to leave out the espresso powder if you do not prefer the coffee flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 598Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 346mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 2gSugar: 44gProtein: 8g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

How To Make Braided Headbands

I have been having a blast making these
fun braided flower headbands.
I usually cut all my strips
and park on the couch to catch up on
Next Food Network Star
or Cupcake Wars...
or whatever catches my attention
and just braid away.

Now I realize there are 2 types of people:
A. those who won't buy a craft project because you can make it tons cheaper
B. those who have no desire to get crafty and would rather pay someone elseIf you are a B person...you might want to skip those post. I am doing this tutorial for you A's out there.I tried making the rolled flowers that are super popular
and just wanted to change it up a bit.

I remember as a kid braiding strips of fabric and
sewing them into rugs for my sisters doll houses.
So, I thought why couldn't they be flowers for headbands?

And thus began another obsession...
I LOVE these headbands.
They look great on straight or curly hair
and look awesome when worn with an updo.

Supplies needed:
Fabric, needle & thread, glue gun & glue sticks, stretch headband, felt, beads/jewels

1. Cut out 6 strips of fabric.
3 strips - 24 inches long, slightly wider than ½" wide
3 strips - 16 inches long, slightly wider than ½" wide
Let it fray...it looks so shabby chic when done.

2. Sew the tips of 3 - 24 inch strips together and cut at an angle.
Repeat on the other 16 inch strips.

3. Braid the strips.
Sew the ends when you reach the bottom and
cut at an angle like the top.

4. Start rolling the braid up FLAT and stitch it in place.
As you continue wrapping the braid around,
keep stitching in place on the back side.

5. When you finish wrapping, you should have 2 discs
that look like this.

6. Glue a stretch headband on the back of both braided discs, overlapping the discs slightly if you wish.
Glue a round piece of felt on top
of the headband to hide it.
(sorry I forgot to take a pic of this step)
Glue on beads or jewels on the front of the braided discs for some bling.

7. Put on your new headband and
go out for an impromptu shoot
with the resident helper photographer...
aka...the 11 yr. old 🙂

See how cute these are for dressing up a pony tail????

Chocolate Coconut Brownies

My good friend Missy sent me this recipe she found on Duncan Hines for Oh Joy Bars.

Chocolate? Coconut? Ok, I am so in!

These were some of the best brownies EVER!!!! So moist and delicious...and the coconut was very subtle.

An A+++ in my dessert book!

Recipe

Chocolate Coconut Brownies

Yield: 24

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

1 - 9x13 box brownie mix
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 large egg

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
Mix brownies according to directions on box. Pour ½ of the batter into the greased pan. Reserved the other half of the batter.
Mix together the coconut, the sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon flour, and egg.
Spread filling over first layer of chocolate brownie.
Spread remaining chocolate brownie on top of coconut layer very carefully.
Bake brownies for 35-40 minutes until firm in center. Don't over bake. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 45mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

5 Min DIY project

Ok, so I have seen these fun cake plates all over the web and
I wanted to show you guys just how easy these are to make.
Really only 5 minutes to do.

First gather your supplies.
(ok that part will take longer than 5 min)
I got the candle sticks from good will and the dollar tree.
The plates from good will and walmart.

Buy some E6000 glue from walmart.
This is some amazingly strong glue and only about $2.50 at walmart.

Flip the plates over and measure to find the middle.
(I marked it with a pencil mark.)
Place a thin layer of glue on the top of the candle stick and place on the mark.

And then you have some super cute plates to show off some fun baking.

Honestly these only took 5 minutes to put together.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. If you liked this post, please leave a comment. Comments are a great way for me to see what is a blog hit or miss:-)

Where in the World is the Bru Crew?

Sorry to be MIA around here for so long.
We headed out for Spring Break and went to see family.
We were in VA for 2 days,
DC for 2 days,
and PA for 3 days.
Lots of driving and lots of pictures later...
it is good to be home.
(even though I still have lots of laundry to do)

Here are a few of my fav shots from our time in DC.
I had to do some collages
or else this post would have been forever long!!!
We had a lot of fun just
wandering around the national mall.

The architecture is amazing!!!!

BUT...we found out that we are NOT museum people.
The kids were bored and so were we.
I know this is our history and I should like it.
But I do not want to wait in line
for an hour or more
to see Michelle Obama's dress
or Judy Garlands red slippers.
Sorry!
We did wait for 1 ½ hours to see the Declaration of Independence...
sadly it is very faded
and now you can't take any pics in the National Archives.
Sad moment indeed!

The cherry blossoms were so pretty...
I had to stop numerous times to take tons of pics!!!

I LOVE this pic of me and my bestest friend EVER!!!!
He is always there for me to cry on his shoulder
when life and people hand me lemons.

I love the fact that this was his idea
to take pics of just us in this spot!!!
Yea, I got a keeper here!!!
He knows how much it means to me to have great shots!!!!

So I have a Record now...

Do you see those super cute blondies
climbing the White House security fence?

Yea...
they got us arrested Tuesday afternoon!!!!!!!!

We arrived in DC Monday afternoon and had a great day of site seeing.
Then on Tuesday we decided we needed to see the White House.
On our way there, we stopped off for coffee and hot choc...
I think the sugar may have made them a little hyper.
They were climbing trees and monuments the whole way there,
and chasing any sign of wildlife.
So, we get to the fence and what do my 2 youngest monkeys do...
they decide to climb it.
I snapped a shot and then looked away to change the settings.
Immediately a secret service officer charged us...
"Lady, lady, are those your kids?!?!?!
Seriously, do you want a picture of that?!?!?"
"This isn't your backyard!!!
You need to respect the fence!!!!!"
He whipped out the handcuffs and away we went in the cruiser.
It was quite an experience...or maybe it was just a good april fool's joke on you.

We didn't get arrested, but the rest of the story is true...
so if you are visiting the White House...
DON'T CLIMB THE FENCE.
Apparently it is illegal,
or so we were so rudely informed.

Homemade Samoa Bars

Is there anyone else who thinks the boxes of Girl Scout cookies are getting smaller and smaller?

Now, don't get me wrong, I supported one of our local troops and bought a few boxes.

There are not enough cookies for the price. This is just my ranting soapbox here. Please don't take this personally if you have a girl in scouts!

I would rather bake my homemade Girl Scout recipes and enjoy a whole pan for the same price.

[Read more...]

Glazed Toffee Cookies

A sweet brown sugar glaze and chocolate drizzles transform these easy Toffee Cookies into a fantastic treat. Great dessert to make for holiday cookie trays.

A white plate with toffee cookies on it that have chocolate drizzles and toffee candy on top.

Toffee Cookies Recipe

Dipping these Toffee Cookies into a brown sugar glaze and adding extra chocolate and candies transforms them into a bakery-style treat everyone goes nuts for.

Each sweet bonbon is loaded with toffee bits, but the glaze takes the cookies over the top. It hardens to a crunchy topping but then melts in your mouth with each bite.

White and dark chocolate drizzles with even more toffee candy, adding a finishing touch to the shortbread cookies. Add this easy recipe to your holiday baking plans, and watch everyone ask you for the recipe.

[Read more...]

Pause and 10 for '10

The year 2010 is here already!
Wow! Last year went by so quickly...
there were so many happy memories that my family made...
I can't believe it is over already.
I was going to do a year in review post,
but I couldn't decide which pictures to use.
Too many good ones:-)
Well, with every new year comes new resolutions.
(Or in my case...the same resolutions that I failed at last year.)
My 10 for '10 are...
1. Daily time in God's Word
2. Exercise more and lose 10 lbs.
3. More 1 on 1 with my kids
4. Better control with my temper & bad moods
5. Have a better financial plan
6. Try not to stress out so much
7. Scrapbook way more
8. Regular dates with the hubby
9. Organize and clean
10. Do more fun projects from my in box
So, I have been seeing this on quite a few posts...
the one word for the year.
In fact, I think most probably stemmed from Ali Edwards,
or at least that is the main one where I found it:-)
I have been mulling this over for the last few days,
just trying to find that one word that I want to encompass my entire year 2010...
and today it finally jumped out at me.
***PAUSE***
Dictionary.com describes this word like this.
Noun - a temporary stop or rest, in speech or action
Verb - to dwell or linger; to make brief stop; wait; hesitate
I want to remember to...
Pause and listen for God to speak to me.
Pause before reacting.
Pause for my hubby and kids.
Pause for myself and others.
Pause before eating and spending.
Pause and do the projects I already started.
Pause long enough to remember the moment.
Hopefully with this word at the forefront of my mind,
it will help me avoid impulsive and wrong decisions.
I can see how hitting the pause button will help me with my resolutions.
What word would you use for your year???

The hubs work had a Christmas bowling party for the family today. My word for the year even applies to me taking pictures. Pause and get in the shots. Pause so there is no blur:-)

Ok, I have to update you on the whole sugar thing. It was going good. I made it through 4 days...and even lost 3 lbs. But then we had our Christmas with the Brubakers and New Years celebration. And this delicious looking chocolate chip cherry cheesecake was there taunting me. The hubs and I just love making cheesecake so much, so we had to take one with us for the party. I am sorry to report that I gave in to the temptation:-) But I am getting back on the band wagon again. Now that I know it really does work, I am hitting it hardcore. It will be much easier once we have our regular routine going again.
(of course that means school and the kids won't be too happy about that)

Owl Moon Pies

These easy Owl Moon Pies are a fun treat that the kids can help you make for Halloween parties. Chocolate, candies, and cookies transform store bought treats into the cutest fall treats.

Yeah. I am that dorky mom that makes the most awesome, most coolest treats to send in for the class party! Don't you agree that these Owl Moon Pies were just too cute not to make this year?

Thank you Southern Living for this super cuuuuute idea. As soon as I saw it in the magazine, there was no other treat that would do. (of course I love anything owl related right now)

So, yes, I made 70 of these bad boys for 3 class parties, and yes, I attached a tag that said Happy "Owl"oween!

My husband says I am going to be known as the mom with the bad jokes but you know what? I don't care, cause these turned out freaking adorable!!!!!

Whooooo knew Moon Pies, Oreos, and Candy Corn could be so adorable?!?!?

Recipe

Owl Moon Pies

Yield: 12 treats

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Moon Pies get a fun transformation with cookies, chocolate, and candy to become cute owl treats.

Ingredients

12 mini Moon Pies
12 pieces of candy corn
24 mini brown M&M's candies
48 mini Oreo cookies
2 ounces melting chocolate
chocolate sprinkles
12 lollipop sticks

Instructions

Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. Dip the end of the lollipop sticks in the chocolate and stick through the bottom middle of the Moon Pies.
Lay out the Moon Pies on a tray. Use a spoon to place a small amount of chocolate on the back side of the Oreo cookie halves that have the frosting still on them.
Gently place them on the Moon Pies where you want the eyes. Use a toothpick to place chocolate on one side of each M&M candy, one at a time. Repeat the same step with the candy corn for the nose.
Use a spoon to place a little bit of chocolate at the top of the Moon Pie. Sprinkle with the chocolate sprinkles to give the owls some hair. Let set.

Notes

*You can wrap these individually in small cellophane bags and tie with bakers twine.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 420Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 502mgCarbohydrates: 112gFiber: 4.2gSugar: 57gProtein: 6.5g

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