Chocolate and other food groups

I know, you're thinking, 'Another cheesecake!' Yep. This one I made for back to school this year. I chose this recipe because I only had 2 packages of cream cheese. Frankly, though, it is not my favorite. It wasn't bad, but it had a light and fluffy texture more like a chiffon cream cheese pie than what I would call a real cheesecake. Still, that might be just what appeals to you! "Philly" Cheesecake 1 c. graham cracker crumbs 3 Tb. butter, melted 2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar 1 Tb. lemon juice 1 tsp. lemon peel 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs, separated Combine crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese, sugar, juice, peel, and vanilla, mixing at medium speed until well blended. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites; pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill before serving. 10-12 servin...

Made for Christmas one year. Tart, creamy, and delicious. Lime Cheesecake 1 Tb. crushed graham crackers 3/4 c. crushed graham crackers 4 Tb. flour 1 Tb. sugar 3 Tb. butter or margarine, melted 3 8-oz. pkgs. light cream cheese, softened 3/4 c. sugar 8 oz. light sour cream 1/4 c. flour 3 eggs 1/2 c. milk 2 tsp. lime peel 1/4 c. lime juice 1 tsp. vanilla 10 drops green food coloring 1/2 c. light cream cheese Spray 9 inch springform pan with nonstick coating. Sprinkle sides of pan with 1 Tb. crushed graham crackers. Set pan aside. For crust, stir together 3/4 c. crushed graham crackers, 4 tsp. flour, 1 Tb. sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. In large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and 3/4 c. sugar. Beat until smooth. Add 8 oz. sour cream, 1/4 c. flour, eggs, milk, lime peel, lime juice, vanilla, and food coloring. Beat at low until just combined. Pour filling onto baked crust. Place pan in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 for ...

This is a different type of cheesecake using unflavored gelatin to create a silkier, smoother texture with a very fine crumb. This cheesecake is not baked, but the crust is cooked until firm. Berry Smooth Cheesecake 1 c. graham cracker crumbs 3 Tb. sugar 3 Tb. butter, melted Combine crumbs, sugar, and butter; press onto bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes; cool. Cheesecake: 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (like Knox) 1/4 c. cold water 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar Dash salt 1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen strawberries or raspberries, thawed Milk 1 c. whipping cream, whipped Soften gelatin in cold water, then stir over low heat until dissolved. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and salt until well blended. Drain strawberries, reserving liquid. Add enough milk to liquid to equal 1 cup. Gradually add milk mixture and gelatin to cream cheese, mixing well. Chill until slightly thickened. Fold in whipped cream and strawberries; pour filling over crust. Chill until firm. S...

There are several variations on this, but this is the one we served at various family parties over the years. I think this is the one we had at my wedding shower. Fruit Pizza 20 oz. pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/3 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla assorted fruit--strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, bananas, peaches are all good.  1/2 c. orange marmalade or apricot preserves 2 Tb. water Spread cookie dough onto pizza pan. Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla; mix well. Spread over crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese later. Combine marmalade and water, and apply glaze over the fruit. Chill and serve.

This is not classic fudge, but it's an extremely easy and delicious candy that even beginners can make. Cream Cheese Fudge 4 c. sifted powdered sugar 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted 1 tsp. vanilla Dash salt 1/2 c. chopped nuts, optional Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, mixing well. Add remaining ingredients. spread into buttered 8" square pan. Chill several hours before cutting. Store in refrigerator. Makes about 1 3/4 lbs. fudge.

Marble Squares 1/2 c. margarine or butter 3/4 c. water 1 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate 2 c. flour 2 c. sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 c. sour cream 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 1/3 c. sugar 1 egg 1 c. chocolate chips Combine margarine, water, and chocolate in large saucepan, bring to boil, and remove from heat. Stir in flour, sugar, soda and salt. Add eggs and sour cream; mix well. Pour into greased and floured 15 x 10 jelly roll pan. Combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Add egg. Spoon over chocolate batter. Cut through several times with a knife to marble the batter. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Makes about 2 dozen squares.