"Holiday Happenings"

These are pictures of a table decorated by me and a friend last week for a Women's Ministry holiday event at our church. We also provided dessert for those at our table...Red Velvet Cheesecake and Pecan Pie Bars. The cheesecake is really rich, but oh so delicious and the colors make it a great fancy holiday dessert! Below are the recipes if you want to give them a try.

Red Velvet Cheesecake

1 1/2 c chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c butter - melted
1 T sugar
3 - 8 oz pkg light cream cheese - softened
1 1/2 c sugar
4 lg eggs -lightly beaten
3 T unsweetened cocoa - sifted
1 c light sour cream
1/2 c whole buttermilk
2 t vanilla
1 t distilled white vinegar
2 - 1 oz bottles red food coloring
1 - 3 oz pkg light cream cheese - softened
1/4 c butter - softened
2 c powdered sugar - sifted
1 t vanilla

stir together cracker crumbs, melted butter, cocoa and 1 T sugar
press into bottom of a 9" springform pan
beat 3 pkg cream cheese and 1 1/2 c sugar to blend
Add eggs and next 6 ingredients til fully blended
pour into prepared crust
bake at 325 degrees for 10 min
reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake for 1 hour and 15 min
or until center is firm
run knife along outer edges and turn oven off
let cheesecake stand in oven for 30 min
remove from oven - cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 min
cover and chill 8 hours or overnight
beat 1 - 3 oz cream cheese and 1/4 c butter with mixer til smooth
gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla - beat til smooth
spread evenly over top of cheesecake
remove sides of springform pan
garnish as desired


Pecan Pie Bars

2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/8 t salt
3/4 c butter - softened
1 c brown sugar
1 c karo syrup
1/2 c butter
4 lg eggs - lightly beaten
2 1/2 c pecans - finely chopped
1 t vanilla

combine flour, sugar and salt - add butter and mix til resembles fine crumbs
press into greased 9x13 pan
bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 min or til lightly browned
combine brown sugar, karo syrup and1/2 c butter in saucepan
bring to boil over med. heat - stirring gently - remove from heat
cool slightly - whisk into eggs - stir in pecans and vanilla - pour over crust
bake at 350 degrees 30-35 min or til set
cool and cut into bars