Marvelous Recipes

A delectable make-ahead brownie dessert that is sure to please family and friends alike!

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts

FILLING:
2 packages (one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 cups whipped topping

TOPPING:
2 cups cold milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
Whipped topping and chopped walnuts

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in the nuts,
3. Transfer to a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping; spread over brownies.
5. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft set; spread over filling. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until serving. Cut into squares; garnish with whipped topping and nuts. Makes 12 to 15 servings.

Recipe and photo are from Taste of Home magazine.

Emily

I have been playing around with finding some low-carb recipes to meet the dieting needs of some of my family members. This one just sort of “came together” and turned out to be really good.

1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 cup pizza sauce
2 ounces pepperoni, chopped

1. In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, oregano, parsley and basil; blend well.

2. Spread mixture in bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the Mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.

3. Spread with the pizza sauce. Top with the pepperoni and the remaining cheeses. Cover and microwave on High for 5 minutes; serve hot. Makes about 8 servings each containing less than 2 net carbs.

Emily

A delightful combination of steamed cauliflower, creamy Swiss cheese and spicy pork sausage! This makes a great main dish or you can serve it as a side with your favorite meat.

1 (16 ounces) package frozen cauliflower
1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled*
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
4 ounces Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
4-5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Microwave or steam the cauliflower until tender; mash with a potato masher until smooth. Add the cream cheese, sausage, and salt and pepper to taste.

2. Spread 1/2 the cauliflower mixture into bottom of a 2-quart casserole; top with 1/2 the cheese. Add the remaining cauliflower mixture and top with the remaining cheese; sprinkle top with the crumbled bacon. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Makes 6 servings, each containing 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber for a total of 3 grams of usable carbohydrate and 13 grams of protein.

* If your family is not fond of sausage, you may substitute lean ground beef for the sausage.

Emily

This is the perfect dip for warm weather enjoyment! Serve it at your next pool party or other summertime get together!

2 (8 ounce) packages strawberry flavored cream cheese, softened
2 (7 ounce) jars marshmallow cream
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip

In a large mixer bowl, cream the cream cheese; add marshmallow cream and blend well. Add the Cool Whip and mix until mixture is well blended and creamy. Serve with fresh strawberries.

Emily

I found this recipe the other day mixed in with a bunch of old papers I had filed away. I have no idea how long I have had it or where it originally came from. I do know that it is incredibly rich and creamy! And very easy to make!

1 boxed yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), melted
3 eggs
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)

1.In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter and 1 of the eggs until it forms a soft dough. Pat into the bottom and slightly up the sides  of a 13×9-inch baking dish.

2. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs and the confectioner’s sugar on high speed of mixer for 4 minutes. Spread evenly over the cake mixture.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool; cut into squares. Makes 24 squares.

Emily

A rich creamy cheesecake dessert your family and friends are sure to request again and again!

1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, walnuts and brown sugar. Add the melted butter or margarine, stirring until crumbly; reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture.

3. Press the remaining crumb mixture over the bottom of a greased 8×8-inch baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown.

4. In a medium mixer bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar at high speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Spread evenly over the baked layer; sprinkle with the reserved 1 cup crumb mixture. Bake for 25 minutes.

5. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate and chill before serving. Cut into 2-inch squares. Makes 16 squares.

Emily

A wonderful recipe for using up left-over chicken! Quick and easy to prepare and tastes great!!

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into small cubes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
1 (8 oz) can crescent shaped dinner rolls
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and melted butter. Add the cubed chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, curry powder and milk; blend well.

Separate crescent rolls into 4 rectangles; seal the perforations. Spoon 1/2 cup chicken mixture onto each rectangle; fold over and seal the edges. Brush tops with melted butter.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 4 bundles.

Emily

This is one of my favorite coffee cake recipes. It is fairly easy to make and has a rich lemony flavor!

1 (2 layer) package lemon supreme cake mix, divided
4 large eggs, divided
1 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
1 envelope rapid-rise yeast
2/3 cup warm water (not hot)
2 (8 oz each) packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon milk
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon water

In a large mixer bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups of the cake mix, 2 of the eggs, 1 cup of the flour, the yeast and warm water. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Spread into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.

In a medium mixer bowl, combine the cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, sugar, milk and remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Beat at high speed until smooth, scraping the bowl occasionally. Spread evenly over the prepared layer in baking pan.

In a medium bowl, cut the butter or margarine into the remaining cake mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until golden brown and the edges pull from the sides of the pan. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Chill, covered, 3 or more hours.

In a small bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar, corn syrup and water; mix well. Drizzle over chilled coffee cake just before serving. Cover and refrigerate leftovers. Makes 16 servings.

Emily