Desserts for Valentine's Day

1/3 c. cocoa
7 Tbsp. butter, melted
16 to 18 vanilla wafers
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
1/3 c. sugar
3 pkg cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
4 Large eggs
12 oz chocolate chips (semi sweet) - melted
1 tsp vanilla

Put vanilla wafers in a Zip lock bag, close and crush with a rolling pin (equals 1 1/2 c). In a bowl mix together cocoa, crumbs, sugar and butter. Press crumb mixture into the bottom of a spring form pan (or line a 10 inch pie pan bottom with wax paper. Bake crust at 300 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.

Next put the cream cheese in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high until fluffy and light. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese, beat well each time you add the sweetened condensed milk. The add the eggs, chocolate and vanilla and beat well. Pour mixture over crust.

Bake at 300 degrees for approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes, until cheesecake is set. Cool to room temperature, then put in the refrigerator and chill for approximately 4 hours. Once chilled loosen around the sides of the cheese cake with a knife. Put a plate over the cheese cake and pan and turn over on to the plate.

You can decorate the top of the cheese cake with whip cream or fresh fruit.

Scottish Shortbread

2 sticks butter (unsalted)
2 Tbsp sugar
1 pkg milk chocolate chips
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c. flour
1 Tbsp butter

Stir together the sugar, salt and flour, then add 2 sticks of butter to the mixture. Cut the butter in with a knife or use a pastry blender until crumbly.

Next pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch pan and press into place. The take your knife and lightly mark the dough into 24 square pieces (this will make cutting the shortbread easier after baking). Take a fork and prick each square approximately 4. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes till light brown. let cool for 10 minutes then cut along the marks on the shortbread. Put aside and let cool.

Once cooled, melt the butter and chocolate chips in the microwave on high till the chips are melted. Once melted stir well and then drizzle over the shortbread.

Shortbread Brownies

2 sticks of butter (softened)

2 c. flour
2 tsp. vanilla (divide in half)
1/4 c. sugar
2 cups chocolate chips (semi sweet)
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Large eggs (beaten)
1 cup walnuts (chopped)

*Use a food processor if you have one, or mix by hand.

Mix together butter, flour, powdered sugar and vanilla till well mixed.

Spread the dough in a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan. Press in place. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes until lightly brown.

Melt the chocolate chips in microwave on high for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until melted. Take our of microwave and let cool for several minutes, then add eggs, vanilla, sugar and salt. Hand beat until well mixed. Stir in walnuts and spread over shortbread, bake for approximately 10 minutes until brownies are set. Cool, then cut into bars.

Mini Brownie Bites

2 cups plus 2 Tbsp biscuit mix
1 large egg
4 Tbsp butter
2 cups milk chocolate chips (divided in half)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)

In a large kettle combine butter and chocolate chips. Cook on low heat until chocolate chips are melted (stirring constantly). Once melted add sweetened condensed milk and stir till well mixed. Next stir in the egg, biscuit mix and chocolate chips.

Line your mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners, then fill each cup 3/4's full with the brownie mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake.

These brownies will be soft.

Happy Valentine's Day

Enjoy