The Best No Bake Cheesecake!

My favorite no bake cheesecake recipe!

Why go the no bake route? Because you don't even have to turn on your oven during these hot summer months, and because this version is easier to make. No water bath required (like a traditional cheecake) and no tending to it, it just sets in the fridge.

I think you'll also love to switch things up for a change from the heavy and dense cheesecake to something with more of a light and airy with just enough body to it.

When you pair this sweet cream cheesecake with a fresh summery strawberry sauce or blueberry sauce you create the ultimate flavor pairing. You will truly be savoring each and every bite!

If you wanted to make it even easier you could use a can of blueberry, raspberry or cherry pie filling - but for the tastiest cheesecake bars possible I highly recommend making it fresh.

Making the Best Tiramisu Cupcakes

When I first started out testing these tiramisu cupcakes I tried going with several options that included steps mimicking those of traditional tiramisu. One of them was brushing the baked cupcakes with the liquid espresso but in doing so ended up with a soggy cupcake atop. So the simple fix was to simply include some espresso powder into half the cupcake batter and this left them with a better overall texture and deeply infused flavor baked in.

Since classic tiramisu includes a fair amount of egg yolks I opted for a cupcake batter that included more of them. So while those rich custardy flavors may not come from what is traditionally in the mascarpone filling you'll still find it within the cupcake. And the cupcake base simply replaces the lady fingers of tiramisu.

For the liquid of the cupcake these use both milk and buttermilk for some added flavor, but they only use half buttermilk so that it's not overpowering the delicate flavor of the mascarpone frosting. And for the cocoa finish I recommend adding plenty, because - chocolate! Who doesn't love that additional flavor?

Make these for your next celebration or weekend treat. They are such a heavenly cupcake!

Traditional angel food cake just got a sublime upgrade with chocolate in every bite. Homemade angel food cake has been a go-to dessert at our house but I've created this luxurious chocolate version I think you'll love even more!

I've always found most angel food cakes from the store are dry and stale, homemade angel food cake is anything but and the only way to go in my opinion.

It's easier to make than you'd think and it's the perfect finish to a spectacular dinner. It also makes a delectable celebratory cake for a birthday, or Valentines day of course.

Treat yourself this weekend, or make it for a friend or loved one. It's completely irresistible!

And don't toss those egg yolks, see all my recipes ideas below on various ways to use them.

Homemade Lemon Cookies

This is a splendidly flavorful, inviting cookie that's bright and cheery during the blistery winter season, yet it's also a cookie fit for those warm summer months where you'll find them reminiscent of a refreshing summer lemonade.

They are fun to finish by decorating them how you like, you can drizzle icing in zigzag patterns over the top or take a spoonful and make a simple circle atop them. And no one said sprinkles are wrong either. However you finish them just don't leave the icing off, it's critical to the abundant lemony flavor of the cookie (as this portion of the cookie calls for the most lemon juice).

If you like a more noticeably yellow cookie simply add a little natural yellow food coloring to the dough to mimic the hues of those sunny lemon peels. It won't affect the taste but I think we tend to eat with our eyes first so a little yellow addition is a nice touch if you have it.

An oatmeal cream pie (also spelled oatmeal "creme" pies) are an old fashioned cookie that's been around for decades and for good reason. We know of the iconic Little Debbie version (I ate far too many as a kid) but now I much prefer them without all the self stabilizing additives, artificial flavors and added color. And of course made with fresh butter instead of various oils is better.

These homemade oatmeal cream pies are a family favorite which makes sense because they are basically an upgraded oatmeal cookie with a frosting filling. They are easy to make and the flavors never disappoint!

With each cookie you get a welcome blend of chewy textures, crisp golden brown edges a soft center (as it should be), with oat-y flavors and highlights warm winter spices and hints of deep molasses. Then for the filling it's a buttery, creamy, frosting type filling, with its sweetness balanced by a small addition of cream cheese (I preferred this option to using cream with the butter and sugar when taste testing).

It's a memorable treat that will always satisfy those homemade cookie cravings. Enjoy them together with family or friends, and serve them with a chilled glass of milk, or warm apple cider during the colder months.

Decadent lemon pie made with a crisp graham cracker crust, a sweet and tangy, cream cheese infused, fresh lemon filling, and it's garnished with dollops of fluffy and clouds whipped cream atop.

It is similar to a key lime pie but no eggs required. This pie is truly a lemon lovers delight!

Why You'll Love This Lemon Pie

No bake option: This simple to make pie can also become a no-bake treat if you opt to go the route of a no-bake crust.

Versatility: You can also swap the crust out for various other cookie bases such as using vanilla wafers, biscotti cookies or gingersnaps. You could also make and almond flour type crust.

Then for the filling you may also opt to use lime juice and zest in place of lemon.

Storage life: It keeps well in the fridge for several days and this lemon icebox pie can even be frozen.

Mini Vanilla Cupcakes

These sweet mini cupcakes are sure to put a smile on anyones face. And not only are the fun to serve and eat but they are also enjoyable to make as well, it's fun to prepare little foods for a change.

You'll find these are a dessert that fitting for so many occasions including birthday celebrations, holiday parties, weekend get togethers, or even just a simple weekend baking project with the kids.

They have a satisfying, light, buttery crumb, a welcomed sweet vanilla flavor, and the silky buttercream polishes them off perfectly.

If you need more you can easily double the recipe. Which I may recommend anyway and then you can freeze half the batch for a later time because anytime is a great time for mini cupcakes!

Mini Cupcake Recipe Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: If you want an even more delicate crumb you can use cake flour.
• Baking powder: This is used to help the cupcake rise. I recommend using aluminum free baking powder for a non-metallic taste.
• Salt: Salt really helps balance out the sweetness of the cupcake and keeps it from tasting flat.
• Unsalted butter: Fat add richness to the cupcake and moisture. It also softens the crumb texture.
• Granulated sugar: Sugar is a key ingredient in sweetening the cupcake.
• Milk: I like to use whole or 2% milk for the recipe.
• Egg: The egg helps to bind ingredients together and assists in rising.
• Vanilla extract: A traditional ingredient in cupcakes and other baked goods that adds notes of sweet and welcomed natural flavor.
• Milk: This is used for the moisture for the cupcake.
• Powdered sugar: A very fine sugar also known as confectioners sugar that builds the foundation of the frosting and sweetens it.
• Heavy cream: This adds a richness to the frosting while thinning and adding whipped volume once it's blended in and aerated.

Mini Cupcake Baking Equipment Used

• Mini cupcake pan
• Mini cupcake liners
• Electric hand mixer
• Piping bags
• Wilton 1M piping tip

How to Make Mini Cupcake Batter

Down below you will find the full recipe with a complete explanation of instructions. Here is a brief overview of the steps.

• Heat oven and prepare a mini muffin pan with paper liners.
• Whisk dry ingredients together.
• Separately whip butter with sugar until pale.
• Mix in egg and vanilla extract to sugar mixture.
• Blend in half of the flour mixture, then milk, then remaining half of the flour mixture.
• Fill prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter.
• Bake until set.

How Long to Bake Mini Cupcakes

• Mini cupcakes generally take about 9 to 13 minutes to bake in a preheated 350 degree oven.
• For this recipe they will likely only need about 9 to 10 minutes.

How to Make the Frosting

• This buttercream frosting is very simple and it can be made in a stand mixer or in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer to whip.
• To make it you'll simple blend all of the the frosting ingredients together on low speed until they are combined.
• Then increase to a high speed and whip for about 4 to 5 minutes until it's very light and fluffy to give it that melt in your mouth consistency.

Other Frosting Flavors to Try

If you want to change things up you could also try one of these three flavors atop these cupcakes in place of vanilla frosting:

• Chocolate buttercream frosting
• Cream cheese frosting
• Strawberry buttercream frosting

Helpful Tips

• Why room temp. ingredients: Room temperature ingredients such as eggs, milk and butter are recommended so the cupcake batter ingredients to combine together better.
• Measuring tip: Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients if possible for the most accuracy.
• Creaming tip: Be sure to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy as this is what will incorporate tiny air bubbles into the cupcakes and help them rise higher.
• Reduce sugar: For a less sweet frosting consider a Swiss meringue, Ermine frosting or even a whipped cream topping.

Storage

• Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container.
• They'll keep at room temperature for 2 days, in the fridge for 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

More Delicious Cupcake Recipes to Try

• Carrot Cake Cupcakes
• Chocolate Cupcakes
• Coconut Cupcakes
• Lemon Cupcakes
• Strawberry Cupcakes
• Vanilla Cupcakes (similar recipe to these but standard size)

Cannoli Dip

If you ask me I'd vote cannoli, tiramisu, and gelato are top ranking for best Italian desserts.  But each can be time consuming to make. So what to do in a hurry? Make a super simple and fast cannoli dip instead and pair it with a variety of sweet crackers.

Or if you want to go all out pair it with the homemade cannoli chips like I've done here. They are from my cannoli shell recipe but you don't need any special forms. Instead the dough is just cut into bite size triangles and deep fried for that perfectly crisp finish.

It's an exciting and unique variation on traditional cannoli and equally just as delicious. Light and fluffy cannoli dip paired with crisp and flakey cannoli chips are a dream come true! It's a party fav an loved by people of all ages.

Soft Cake-Like Cinnamon Roll Cookies

I made many batches of these cookies until I finally perfected them and achieved that true cinnamon roll flavor and a similar soft texture to what you get from a real cinnamon roll. The secret was to add a whole brick of cream cheese into the cookie dough (rather than making a thick sticky frosting that only covers the pretty design of the cookies). It added great flavor and improved overall texture.

These super tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies have a fluffy Lofthouse cookie style softness. And their flavor is light tangy, deeply cinnamony, richly buttery, and highlighted with vanilla.

The cookie dough itself isn't very sweet but once you layer it with brown sugar and cinnamon and finish them with a sweet icing it has just the right level of sweetness you hope to get from a cookie.

Just plan ahead with these cookies. You'll need some time for the dough to chill so it's not overly sticky to work with and time to allow the icing to set. They'll make a great weekend baking project.

And fortunate tasters will be smitten with their reminiscent cinnamon roll flavor!

Tempting Oatmeal Cookies Cookies with Icing

These are a cookie people won't forget! Like Mother's Iced Oatmeal Cookies but a far better homemade version.

They have a deliciously oaty flavor, a tempting texture, a fair amount of those inviting warm spices, and the crisp icing that finish over the top that makes a crowning highlight.

The soft and chewy texture of these frosted oatmeal cookies comes from brown sugar and partially ground oats, it's key to these delectable, homestyle cookies.

These iced oatmeal cookies can be baked up more chewy or more crisp, whichever you prefer. If you'd like them to be more soft and chewy, then bake them near the lesser amount of time, and for a crispier cookie bake them for the greater amount of time.