Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Ok, so one blog I love to read is my friend Kathy's.. (The Busscher Family) not only is she honest and insightful and posts about her adorable kiddos, but she's an AMAZING cook and baker. She often posts recipes (with pics!) of things she's tried lately. I've gotten some gems from her blog and hope she continues posting this stuff (nudge nudge :)). Anywho...this past Sunday I had to bring dessert to our small group meeting and to be honest, I don't have much in my "dessert repertoire" so I tried something new and it actually turned out and was even kinda pretty (in my eyes). In addition it was yummy and simple (thank you Pillsbury Recipes) although not for those who may be "watching it" (sorry ladies in my small group!) Thought I'd post the recipe for you all.


Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake


Prep time: 20 min
Cook Time: 1 hrs 25 min
Yield: 12 to 16 servings
Ingredients:
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 (19.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Classic Traditional Fudge Brownie
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz.) canEagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation Directions:
1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 9-inch springform pan with no-stick cooking spray. Prepare brownie according to package directions for chewy brownies. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
2. BAKE 35 minutes or until set.
3. BEAT cream cheese until fluffy in large bowl. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan.
4. REDUCE oven temperature to 300°F. Bake 50 minutes or until set. Cool. Chill thoroughly. Remove side of springform pan. Garnish as desired.

TIP Chocolate chips may fall to top of brownie layer during baking, you can add some to the top ten min into baking that will stay on the top for visual appeal :)

February Blahs

This last month has not produced many interesting stories or pictures as we have been hit with pneumonia, pinkeye(x2), and a cough/cold, Brad was also gone a bit and I have been busy with a bible study on Monday nights and Photography class on Tuesdays. All of a sudden its the middle of March and the snow is gone and we are seeing the light! Woo Hoo! The schedules will slow in some ways and pick up in others, but hopefully we'll be back in our usual groove!

Lately, Anabelles vocabulary has really expanded. She's now saying all kinds of words and will attempt most you throw at her. She had been combining two words at a time and attemps to sing pieces of songs (her faves are ring around the rosie, and the itsy bitsy spider). This verbal explosion has really been huge in helping the interaction between the girls. They can really communicate now and they seem to enjoy this time together (most of the time). Sabrina loves to be the mommy and spends lots of time instructing (read:bossing around) her sis and most of the time Anabelle is game. The other morning Sabrina was trying to teach Anabelle new words by "reading" the curious george book to her and asking her "can you say...." in a high, slow, sing songy voice that I'm sure I must NEVER use. :)

Anabelle is also SUPER into ballet stuff all of a sudden. She grabs Sabrinas "Ready Set Piroette (sp?)" book and looks in the back at all the moves and copies them...and is actually pretty good at it! She is also getting to develop quite a desire for things to be her way and sharing isnt too appealing to her lately. A couple days ago, Anabelle didnt want to share something with her sis and took hold of the nearby handle of her full sippy cup and clubbed Sabrina over the head. Oh MY! Then this is the look I get from her.... "you say I did what?" Seriously, sometimes punishment can be hard with this one! :)

Sabrina is in full on pretend mode lately...lots of "you be the mom...I'll be the kid" or "you be Miss Heidi the hair lady and I'll come get my hair done" :) Its very fun to see her create these worlds and the people that live in them but sometimes its hard to get her to want to be Sabrina again! Last night she and I went to the g-ville mall for some special time with just the two of us (which was so sweet and such a treasured time) and the whole ride home she was the mom and and I was the kid. This lasted through the entire bedtime routine and till the minute we said goodnight. She never broke charater. Then this morning she was ready to pick it right back up (at 6:10 AM!!). I think I need to look so forward to many more "lets pretend sessions"in my future :)