Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Cheesecake Shots #recipe, ala #PioneerWoman from @DarylWoodGerber



Happy almost Fourth of July!!!

To celebrate, I have a first-week-of-the-month giveaway below. Read on.  

The other day, I was eating lunch with my husband (yes, we do that!), and we turned on the television to the Food Network. The Pioneer Woman was on. I’d never seen her show. I’ve read her blog a number of times. I said, “Stop, let’s watch.” I had just been reviewing recipes from her latest cookbook for my next Cookbook Nook Mystery, which features barbecue and down-home kinds of recipes. I wanted to see what she was like in person.

Darling!! Easy to watch. Fun.

Anyway, she was making something ultra easy, and I thought, I must make these. Tonight. I had all the ingredients in my refrigerator. 5 ingredients. Perfect for my protagonist Jenna, who is still learning how to cook – she’s getting better, by the way.

A cheesecake shot is perfect for the Fourth of July! And wham-bang, are they ever good!

So Happy Fourth of July. May you relish your independence. May you continue to enjoy the freedoms that are ours because we live in this country. May you do your part to make sure everyone enjoys those freedoms!


CHEESECAKE SHOTS ala The Pioneer Woman

(serves 4 - 6)

Ingredients:

1 12-ounce carton cream cheese
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
6-8 graham cracker squares
1 can cherry pie filling
blueberries, if desired
slivered almonds, if desired

Directions:

In a small bowl, using a hand-mixer or whisk, mix cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. [The Pioneer Woman says this is one of her favorite go-to items in her pantry!]


Crush graham crackers. (If you need to eat gluten-free, you can find GF graham crackers at lots of stores. Or you can use GF sugar cookies.)

In small dessert bowls (or wine glasses) (4-6 portions), put 2-3 tablespoons of graham crackers.

Fill a pastry bag with the cheese/milk concoction. Squeeze about 1/3 to ½ cup of the filling on top of the graham crackers.


Top with 2-3 tablespoons of cherry pie filling. (For those who need to eat gluten-free, make sure the pie filling has modified corn starch or tapioca starch as it’s thickener.)

If desired top with blueberries and/or almonds.

Chill for about 1-2 hours. Serve cold.






Click here to PREORDER
Starting this week, I will be offering giveaways on Mystery Lovers Kitchen through the release of FUDGING THE BOOKS. So check in often!

Also I'll be having a release party on Facebook on August 4th, so mark your calendars! Look for the event invitation.

And I'll be doing a giveaway August 3rd via my newsletter to someone (or a few someones) who are signed up to receive it! Don't delay. Sign up.

Today's giveaway is your choice of the first three Cookbook Nook Mysteries OR any of the Cheese Shop Mysteries on the shelves + some fun swag. Leave a comment, with your email (cryptic, if you must) so I can contact you!  

And tell me what you're doing on the Fourth of July!


Daryl Wood Gerber aka Avery Aames
Tasty ~ Zesty ~ Dangerous!


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AS GOUDA AS DEAD
order here





FUDGING THE BOOKS, the next Cookbook Nook Mystery, is available for order: order here.



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so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests! 




82 comments:

  1. The 4th of July I will have an old College Friend down and be out on the water...
    I love these recipes.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those do look good. I just bought a lot of fresh fruit so I have perfect toppings. We will have a quiet 4th of July. In the middle of remodel so enjoying no workers here and hoping for cooler weather so we can sit outside and just relax. Thanks!
    sallycootie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A remodel sounds like fun. Work. But fun...anticipation!

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  3. It looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for the giveaway. Congrats on your soon to be released book Fudging The Books.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I forgot to say I will be working on July 4th so no fun plans.

      Delete
    2. Ah, Jen, working. No fun. But hopefully you can spy some fireworks!

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  4. I love your books. This recipe is perfect for the 4th of July. We will be riding the motorcycle in the local parade and then we're headed down to the VFW Post for a BBQ. I'll also be working on some patriotic photo ideas I have. And of course I have to squeeze in some reading time.

    bevarcher AT me DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, sounds like a packed weekend. Enjoy the ride!

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  5. That couldn't be much easier, could it?!

    I think I'll skip the pie filling and use fresh raspberries and blueberries for my red, white, and blue.

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the giveaway -- a book and swag -- gotta love it! Thanks for sharing the Pioneer Woman's yummy dessert, it would be a delicious accompaniment to watching fireworks, which we will be doing at a friends house. bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia, enjoy being with friends. Always lovely!!

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  7. What a delectable treat. Perfect for the 4th. We will be celebrating with family and enjoying the day together. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll be with my family, too. Such fun! Good memories.

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  8. Your talent and creativity is wonderful. These are beautiful and appealing. The 4th will be spent with friends at their house and a bar-b-q. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Um, remember, I didn't make these up. Pioneer Woman did. I was pretty amazed at how easy they are!! And truly yummy. But thanks for the pat on the back. :)

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  9. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)July 1, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    We'll be taking my mother and mother-in-law to a brass band concert followed by food and drink. And maybe fireworks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brass band. Oh, what fun! Memories of The Music Man!! Tra-la!

      Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  10. I love your gluten-free tip for this yummy dessert! I'll be hanging out with my granddaughter and grandpuppy...maybe even visiting the dog beach for awhile!

    ReplyDelete
  11. this looks delicious and great for the summer picnics. I will be getting together with family for a bbq and fireworks over the lake. I think that I will try your recipe to take with me for dessert. I know everyone will love it. Thanks for the chance : ) darholley1 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a recipe that I think even I can make---and it sounds delicious. Do you think you could make it with nonfat cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk?
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds like something hubby can make for him and I. I don't cook much as have lost the use of my rt hand due to nerve disease that has gone thru my body. We have 2 chiwahwahs and since they are afraid of fireworks we live on a hill in a rural area so we put our chairs out and watch fireworks from many cities here in Ia and Wi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PT, sorry about the right hand issue. What a bummer. But I'm sure you can put this together.

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  14. Love the books and the recipes! Sorry that I will miss the August event (sisters retreat in the north woods), but I know you will have a blast!
    I already have all of the books, although I wouldn't say no to some swag. :-)
    lizc@mac.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, sweet. Have a great time at the retreat.

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  15. Would love to read the books and do a review on them. I read over 500 books a year and do reviews to bless the authors and let readers know about great books. This Fourth of July, we will be getting our fifteen year old son ready for his first ever missions trip that Starr's on Monday.
    Jhdwayne@peoplepc.com

    Thinks
    Deana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. 500 books a year? Wow! Congrats to your son for doing a mission trip. :)

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  16. My husband & I will probably take our 2 daughters to a parade and then later watch the fireworks. Happy Independence Day!
    sharonbabyme@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks like an interesting recipe to try. Unfortunately, there aren't really any plans for the 4th for me and my family. Most of them are working, so it's just a laze around the house kind of day. Maybe do a movie or TV show marathon of some sort. Thanks for the chance to win.

    robbfan141729@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love laze around the house days! Enjoy.
      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  18. I will be watching fireworks after a neighborhood BBQ. This recipe would be great to take! stclairck@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. These look so yummy. I think they will be on my picnic table for the 4th. maxtonsmamaw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Those look yummy. I like to watch her show. I have a few of her cookbooks.thanks Lois Rotella

    ReplyDelete
  21. For the 4th I am staying home and trying to stay cool. I am running all of my errands tomorrow so I won't have to be out in all the weekend traffic. Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win a book!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love cheesecake, I'll have to try this! Our 4th will be spent at the local lake where the town converges to play before the fireworks display. My daughter will be helping to man her Rotary Youth Group's fundraising booth, raising money for ShelterBox to help "provide emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis." I get to be chaperone ;)

    ReplyDelete
  23. For the 4th, I am just found to lounge on my deck with my dog, a tall glass of lemonade and a good book :) I really like your books, and would love to win this giveaway!

    vjvereeke (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. For the 4th, I am just found to lounge on my deck with my dog, a tall glass of lemonade and a good book :) I really like your books, and would love to win this giveaway!

    vjvereeke (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vivian, a good book and lemonade sound delicious.

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  25. I don't know what I'm doing for the fourth yet. I'm just hoping it's cooler here. We've been having a huge heat wave.

    kaye dot killgore at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have been having a heat wave too. So ugh!! At least ours is dry. Is yours?

      ~Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  26. Cheesecake shots look and sound tasty. As far as Independence Day, I stay home and watch TV fireworks. I like East Coast fireworks. They have good programs in NYC and Washington, DC and I like the music too. No traffic or crowds either.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I think the East Coast fireworks are fabulous. Love the DC ones and the music!

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  27. Those cheesecake shots look great. What a great giveaway, I live in Canada so I am not sure if we can enter or not.

    Vikiwilson@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Viki, I'm allowing for Canadian entries this time. It's a random number generator that picks, so good luck.

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  28. Stay home comforting the critters who are none too fond of booms! This year, I'm praying the idiots heed the fireworks ban since we have 320+ fires already burning....arid winter followed by arid summer :(
    Kathleen Bylsma h5apby@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Poor four-paw critters. Wish we could explain it to them.

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  29. On the 4th of July will either be at my step daughter's family for BBQ or home where I don't have to be outside in desert summer and can catch up on a little work or a couple reviews. ... call my family back home. jeaniedannheim ( at ) ymail ( dot ) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crank out those reviews, Mama Cat. And keep cool.

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  30. I will be caring for our daughter's (medically complex, technology dependent) given no private duty nurses are available. Hopefully the day will be quiet and we'll make a family time day of it. servedogmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wishing you a good bonding time with your daughter. :)

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  31. Fourth of July? Family is spread out all over the country, but my husband and I still seem to connect with family and enjoy a good meal. Baseball is on the Telly and burgers on the grill! kat8762@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Baseball and burgers. Nothing more "American" than that. Enjoy.

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  32. We are enjoying hot dogs at home and trying to keep our one dog calm....he hates fire crackers and panics when they go off. Kuzlin at AOL.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about putting your dog in a private, well-lit room, with music piped at a high note so he/she is distracted???

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  33. As we don't celebrate over here in the UK (odd that lol), then nothing really! dragonsteeluk@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm, you don't celebrate? Gee, I wonder why? Enjoy doing nothing! :)

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
  34. Essaying home cause my doggie is afraid of all the firecrackers.
    patti.s@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same note as above. Try staying in a well lit room with plenty of other noise to distract. Good luck!

      ~ Daryl aka Avery

      Delete
    2. Patti, you are the winner of the giveaway!! I'll send you an email and you'll have until Monday night to respond. Congrats!

      ~Daryl

      Delete
  35. Lin, those sound yummy! Hmmm, maybe add some "fudge" to that banana pudding. ? Experiment time.

    ~ Daryl aka Avery

    ReplyDelete
  36. What an easy dessert! This would be a nice dessert to make for the 4th. Thank you for the recipe share and for this giveaway! Congratulations on the new book.
    debprice60@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. For the fourth July going to family Reunion. Noting like seeing family and eating good food. Love the bookcover.

    xzjh04@ Gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a colorful dessert for the 4th of July! We are having a cookout with family and friends for the holiday.
    bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Fun recipe, love all your books, can't wait to read this next one, lilflynracer at msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh those cheesecake shots look yummy. Thanks for sharing that recipe. Must try them. I am loving your books. Have a Happy 4th!!

    ReplyDelete