Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Strawberry season is in full swing here in Iowa and I've already made one Strawberry Pie for my family.   Today I changed it up a bit and made these tasty cheesecake bars because who doesn't love cheesecake?!

You can use other berries if you like or even open up a can of pie filling.  All I can say is that it is a good thing it makes a small dish.  I can hear it calling my name from the fridge!  To help myself, I'll be wrapping some up for the freezer so the family can enjoy some now and some later.

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars  Makes 12                                               Printable Recipe

"Pie" Filling:
1 cup quartered fresh strawberries
1/2 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons corn starch
2 teaspoons cold water
Crust:
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used Einkorn flour from Jovial Foods)
Cheesecake:
8 ounces low fat cream cheese (softened as needed)
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brownie Waffles

Who loves waffles?  Raise your hand.  You can't see me but I've got both raised!! I love waffles. They are moist on the inside with a little crunch on the outside.  I like a traditional style waffle like my Buttermilk Waffles slathered with some peanut butter and drizzled with syrup or sprinkled with chocolate chips.  In the fall we break out the pumpkin and spices and have some Pumpkin Buttermilk Waffles with walnuts or hickory nuts and syrup.

 Recently I decided to give chocolate waffles a try. These brownie waffles are a little slice of heaven!  I tried some plain, some sprinkled with powdered sugar (just like my mom used to make our brownies) and with a peanut butter syrup drizzle.  They were all good and I couldn't really pick a favorite.  You could even serve these as a dessert with a slice of ice cream on top and some chocolate syrup drizzle on.

Brownie Waffles (makes 6 round flip style waffles)                        Printable Recipe

1/2 cup butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour (or 1-1/3 cup Jovial Einkorn flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate or Andes Mints baking chips if you prefer)
Toppings ideas: powdered sugar, fruit, peanut butter, chocolate syrup, maple syrup.

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug

Most people crave a little something sweet now and then.  The bad part about making your own goodies is that the recipe makes either a whole cake or 2 dozen cookies.  This little treat in a mug will satisfy your sweet tooth, makes a minimal mess, and controls your portion. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug                                                              Printable Recipe

1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt
1 egg yolk
3 Tablespoons flour (Jovial einkorn flour can be substituted)
1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips

In your mug, melt butter (takes about 25 seconds if cold, check often so it doesn't boil.) Add sugars, vanilla, and salt.