So as we know Texas isn't normally blessed with the beautiful white, fluffy snow that most states across the U.S. get EVERY year. Normally we get the flurries and just maybe the roads might have spots of what they call "black Ice." But for some reason God said let there be snow and boy did we get snow! This is the second year in a row that we have had more than 8 inches of snow fall.A few weeks ago we not only got the snow but under the snow was 3 inches of ice. Literally no one knew what to do. They cancelled schools and my work was closed for 4 days!! We all swore that if we even had snow plows in Texas that they were all in Arlington at Cowboys stadium for the Super Bowl.
Me, My mom, The Apple Family and Dick spent 4 days couped up and let me tell you we had a BLAST! Lost of Rockband, yummy treats, playing in the snow, and of course wedding planning!
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| Katie broke her herself! The snow was misleading with the THICK ice underneath. We could barely walk down the street! |
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| Everything is so much prettier with snow! |
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| My dogs IgLoo was actually an IGLOO!! :) |
Now for the best part of this blog... CHOCOLATE EXPLOSION CHEESECAKE. Only would Paula Dean make such an incredible yet so bad for you dessert! I am not joking this is the best Cheesecake that has ever touched my lips!
Here is the recipe... It is long and lots of layers but thats what makes it AUH-MAZING. But in short it has a graham cracker crust, a layer of chocolate, a layer of carmel, a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough, and then cheesecake.
- Prep Time:
- 30 min
- Inactive Prep Time:
- 8 hr 35 min
- Cook Time:
- 1 hr 30 min
- Level:
- Intermediate
- Serves:
- 1 (9-inch) cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Chocolate Layer:
- 6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cheesecake Layer:
- 1/2 cup caramel syrup
- 1 (16 1/2-ounce) package refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Chocolate Ganache:
- 6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
For the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and sugar. Add the melted butter, stirring to combine. Press the crust into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 minutes; let cool.
For the chocolate layer: Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter (or microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 1/2 minutes total). Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and flour until just combined. Pour into the bottom of the cooled crust and bake for 15 minutes; let cool.
For the cheesecake layer: Spread the caramel topping evenly over the cooled chocolate layer. Cut the cookie dough crosswise into 1-inch slices. Place the slices in an even layer over the caramel, pressing gently together to seal the edges.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and flour until just combined. Stir in the sour cream. Pour the mixture over the cookie dough layer and bake for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and gently run a knife around the edges to release the crust from the sides of the pan. Let cool completely.
For the ganache: Using a double boiler, combine the chocolate and cream and melt (or microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 minute total). Spread over the cooled cheesecake. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.
I originally made it for Dick for Valentine's day BUT he loved it so much that he is actually serving it as his groom cake for our wedding in November! We are very excited about it.
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| Look at those layers! I actually left off the top layer of chocolate gnosh because I thought that I might have a heart attack! BUT it was plenty sweet with out it! |
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| He was in heaven! Cheesecake has always been his favorite! |
With warm hearts and a tummy full of cheesecake,
Abigail
