About Me

I live in a small poke town within an hour of the California coast where there are more vineyards than people with my husband and three children and various pets. James Dean's tree is within walking distance and the James Brothers were also known to ride these hills. I was born to the son of Lutheran missionaries and the daughter of Catholic hypocrites. I'm a Zionist. I was born and raised in California where liberal ideas become gods, and conservative ideals are evil. Unfortunately, it's illegal to have morals in California. I'm one of the evil ones. I take my frustrations out on my houseplants, all 300+ of them.

Recipes & Procedures


White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

A good way to use up those left over candy canes...

White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp. melted butter
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 8-oz pkg. cream cheese
3 eggs
4 1-oz squares white baking chocolate
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. crushed candy canes (or hard mint candies of not for the holidays)
whipped topping
red and green sugar (optional)
Directions:

  • Mix graham cracker crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and melted butter together to make crust.
  • Press mixture into bottom of 10″ springform pan.
  • Bake crust at 325°F for 10 minutes.
  • Cool.
  • Mix cream cheese and 3/4 c. sugar until just blended.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each until blended.
  • Melt white chocolate in double boiler and stir into cream cheese mixture.
  • Gently fold in crushed candy canes.
  • Pour mixture over cooled crust.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes at 325°F or until center is almost set.
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate for (at least) 4 hours.
  • When ready to serve, spread a thin layer of whipped topping on top of cheesecake and sprinkle with more crushed candy canes and red and green sugar.