NY Cheesecake with Strawberries

So....I don't like cheesecake. (I knooow, I'm crazy.)

But even I can tell that is is one DANGED good cheesecake.

New York, New York...one of the things I miss most about you is your food. Mostly the pizza. Ah...the pizza. But I also know that their cheesecake is pretty danged awesome (Michael certainly loved it.), so when Michael's birthday snuck up on me this year, I knew the perfect treat would be a NY style cheesecake---with strawberries...because he loves 'em.

Apparently 1 whole cheesecake is a bit too much for my boy to polish off on his own, though, so we shared some pieces with my mom and his family as well. And from all these sources, the reviews came in: this is a DANGED good cheesecake. All you have to do is look at it to see the amazing texture (and, boy, does it smell great), and I've been told it tastes silky and tangy, yet sweet.

And making it is surprisingly easy (time consuming, but easy)--I didn't even need to do a water bath and it didn't crack (mind you, I've made this once. Perhaps it will crack for you--I do not know for sure.) This was my first full-sized cheesecake and it went so smoothly. And you get a total sense of accomplishment saying to yourself, "I just made an amazing cheesecake. GO ME!"

And soon you'll make this and I can say, "GO YOU!"

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies-Guest Post with Jennie of The Messy Baker

EEE! Ok, so, today is Vince (Michael's cousin)'s rehearsal dinner, so I'm of course busy busy busy. But guys, I have a TREAT for you today: my girl Jennie from The Messy Baker is here to share one of her FABULOUS recipes with you guys! AREN'T YOU EXCITED??! I love Jennie. Like oodles. Bunches and bunches. We need to meet asap. And you wanna see something adorable? 

This is the very first comment she left on here, (in response to a comment I had left on her blog after stumbling upon it), and thusly began our friendship. Cute as crap, right?

Ok, enough from me, on to Jennie and cookies!

Hello, Cooking Actress fans! I’m Jennie. Nice to meet ya. I’m the baker, spatula licker, and taste tester over at The Messy Baker. Today I’m filling in for my gal Kayle. She’s off doing her thang, so I’m here to provide you with mucho deliciousness today.

I’m a frequent flyer here at The Cooking Actress. I just can’t get enough of Kayle’s cookies, pies, cakes, and savory eats. The girl knows how to cook some tasty grub. Her beau Michael is one lucky guy.

Kayle and I met over the interweb almost 2 years ago through our blogs. It was love at first sight. One look at her list of cookies, and I was in it for the long haul. After that first day, there was no keeping me away.

So, in the spirit of good cookies and in honor of Kayle, I decided to keep up with the tradition and make a cookie recipe to add to her ever-growing cookie list.

Enter pumpkin cheesecake cookies. Go ahead, I’ll wait while you read that again.

Yup, pumpkin cheesecake cookies—a soft, spicy cookie that combines the flavors of fall and the rich, creaminess of cheesecake in portable form. Say what!

You’ve heard of that slightly famous roll that makes an appearance during the fall and winter holidays—pumpkin roll. Yeah, these cookies taste just like that…all soft and creamy with hints of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.

These cookies are so moist that they melt in your mouth as you eat them. They have a delicate, tender crumb that will keep you coming back for more. One, two, three cookies, gone!

A big thank you to Kayle for inviting me to post on her behalf, and a big thank you to you, her readers, for having me. I hope you guys enjoy the cookies as much as my family and I enjoyed them.

Mini Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes

I know I've been a terrible tease.

I shared all those photos of the deliciousness that I made for Michael's birthday, and I haven't shared any of the recipes yet. I'm truly sorry.

I promise-I will eventually get around to posting them all! 

In the meantime, if there are any that you're absolutely dying to have, like, right this second-let me know. I'll make sure to put them on here A-tothe-SAP.

So. Cheesecake. Not my cup of tea. Just being honest-I'm not a fan.

That said-I'm aware I'm a minority on this. And Michael, like, completely loves cheesecake. So, I decided to be nice, and make him these adorable mini raspberry cheesecakes for his birthday. And boy, these have lasted! Warning: this recipe makes A LOT. Be prepared for tons of leftovers. That, or make these for a big party or something. I'm serious. We just finished the last of them. His birthday was almost a month ago. Yeah. I also had a really hard time just baking the large volume (#1-I only have 1 muffin tin and #2-only so much room in my oven), I had to do multiple batches and that led to some difficulty. And, after the first batch all sunk down and cracked, I decided to do a water bath for the rest-which is annoying, but I completely recommend you do. All of the difficulties were worth it, though, when I saw how much Michael loves them! Michael likes the size a lot-they're great portions. He says the graham cracker crust is really good and the consistency is nice and fluffy and light-not too heavy like some cheesecakes can be. And there's raspberry-which he really loves. So, all in all, a winner :). I definitely recommend you try these sometime!

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie

NOOOO! Summer is almost over! (There's only a month left!) I hate fall! Nonononononooooooo! I want sun and blue skies! And warmth! And sundresses and shorts! And flowers and green trees and just happy summertime! I dread the leaves and everything dying and the gray skies and colors shifting from blues and yellows and pinks to oranges and browns. I abhor the idea of wearing a jacket and boots instead of a tank top and flip flops. I am not looking forward to September, nononooo.

To try to hold on to summer a little longer, I'll share a super summery dessert recipe that I recently made for my Michael.

Like me, he hates fall. Loves summer. Especially summery desserts. Michael loves anything "refreshing" and is obsessed with berries-especially strawberries. A couple weeks ago I decided to make myself a s'mores treat (that I'll share later), and Michael is not a s'mores fan. So, I knew I'd have to make him his own special dessert. I also had some extra Greek yogurt lying around that I needed to use up. When I saw this recipe I knew it was sure to be a winner-and I was right! Michael says this may be the best thing I've ever made him. He says, "It's like a cheesecake...but frozen...and more refreshing. So pretty much-perfect." It's everything he loves and wants and needs in a dessert. I've scored major girlfriend points. :D.