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Yummy Links: From a Vegan's Vengeance to Food Network

partysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:45:42 -0700

If you love foodie fiction, check out this crime novel in which a vegan gets his vengeance. — San Francisco Magazine
These cheesecake pops are pretty and delicious. — GlamDish
Check out the new and improved Chow.com. — Chow
Learn everything you need to know about 16 varieties of potatoes.— The Kitchn
In what must be the most absurd announcement of the week, PETA has asked Ben & Jerry to make ice cream with breast milk.— The Epi-Log
Wine wipes will get rid of red wine-stained teeth. — Serious Eats
How to unclog your coffee grinder.— CasaSugar
Food Network's holding casting calls for the fifth season of The Next Food Network Star; do you have what it takes? — Grubstreet

Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 16-22, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:25 -0700

In the height of good weather, food and festivity abound, and right about now, I'm wishing I could teleport myself around the United States. First I'd hit up Manhattan for Wine 2.0's wine sampling this week, followed by the Shrimp & Grits Festival in Georgia, and then some classic Eli's cheesecake in the Windy City. Don't miss out on these events — if you do, you'll have to wait another year!

New York, NY: The StarChefs Rising Stars Revue New York — Sept. 16
New York, NY: Epicurious Wine.Dine.Donate New York — Sept. 17
New York, NY: Wine 2.0 New York — Sept. 18
Atlantic City, NJ: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlantic City — Sept. 18
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA: Delaware River Food & Wine Festival — Sept. 18-21
Nappanee, IN: Nappanee Apple Festival — Sept. 18-21
La Crescent, MN: Applefest 08 — Sept. 18-21
Leavenworth, WA: Wenatchee River Salmon Festival — Sept. 18-21

To see the rest,

Come Party With Me: Fashion Week Party — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:00:33 -0700

Since the fashion week party I'm throwing takes culinary inspiration from the Big Apple, I'm sticking with the theme and making a New York-inspired cheesecake for dessert.

To encourage that guests mingle, I'm going for a menu of mostly single-serving offerings. Dessert will be no exception: These mini-cheesecake snacks pack rich, chocolatey indulgence into pretty, bite-sized packages. To get the recipe,

Test Your Cheesecake Facts

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:30:21 -0700

Did you know that today is National Cheesecake Day? No doubt this decadent dessert, a well-loved American favorite, deserves to be honored. But what do you know about this creamy cake, aside from the best slices to order at The Cheesecake Factory? Take our quiz and find out!

Source

Get Your Cheap Cheesecake!

partysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:15:09 -0700

To commemorate their 30th anniversary, the Cheesecake Factory will be lowering the price of cheesecake. When the first Factory opened in Beverly Hills in 1978, a piece of cheesecake was only $1.50. Tomorrow, (which also happens to be National Cheesecake Day) the restaurant chain will offer cheesecake at its original ($1.50) price!

In addition to serving the cheap cheesecake, the Cheesecake Factory is introducing a special, limited-edition flavor, the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake. A portion of the sales of each anniversary slice will be donated to America's Second Harvest.

If you can't make it to a Cheesecake Factory tomorrow, no worries, the "sweet initiative" celebration — additional promotions have yet to be announced — will continue throughout the year.

Source and Source

7 Easy No-Bake Desserts

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:06 -0700

Let's face it: some days, it's too hot to even consider turning the oven on. However, the heat shouldn't hold you back from making delicious desserts. Here are seven sans-oven options (even cookies and tarts!) that you can turn to when the heat is on.

Come Party With Me: Fourth of July — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:00:34 -0700

Every year on the Fourth of July, I like to make a red, white, and blue dessert. It's my personal salute to America. While a flag cake is festive, this year I'll wow guests with a red, white, and blueberry cheesecake tart.

The easy, crisp crust is a mixture of ground graham crackers and almonds. The filling is smooth, creamy, and classic. The red topping is a juicy syrup made with red plums. Garnished with plump, burst-in-your-mouth blueberries, this is one star-spangled dessert.

To learn how it's made,

Yummy Link: Cheesecake Pops

YumSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:13:51 -0700

Those Daring Bakers have done it again, and this time it's with delicious-looking Cheesecake Pops. This is just one person's interpretation, be sure to hunt them all down. They look unbelievable! — Jumbo Empanadas

Would You Rather Eat Cheesecake or Chocolate Cake?

partysugar — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:09:33 -0700

Source

Would You Rather Eat Cheesecake or Chocolate Cake?

I'm crazy about smooth, creamy cheesecake.

I love chocolate cake.

I want the best of both worlds: chocolate cheesecake.

Neither, I prefer _______ (fill in the blank below).

I don't eat cake of any kind.

A Delicious Dessert: Lemon Ripple Cheesecake

partysugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:13:31 -0700

At the last minute, I decided not to make the white chocolate-lime cheesecake bars for my half birthday party. Instead, I opted for these lemon ripple bars. Lemon seemed to evoke the flavors of Spring more than lime and white chocolate. I cut them into small, bite-sized pieces and they went like hot cakes at the party!

This easy-to-follow recipe is divine. The crust is flecked with lemon zest and lemon curd is rippled with the creamy cheesecake filling. They are wonderful for a party because you can make them one or two days before the event. For the recipe,

Come Party With Me: My Half Birthday — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:13:19 -0800

At all of my parties I like to provide guests with a sweet treat even if it is only a small bite. At my half birthday — besides filling bowls with M&Ms which is signature to all my events — I will make one refreshing dessert: white chocolate and lime cheesecake bars.

Instead of cutting the bars into squares, I'll use a cookie cutter to cut out circles making mini cheesecakes. To emphasis the half theme, I will cut the circles in half and serve mini half cheesecakes! For the recipe,

Would You Eat This Stilton and Bacon Cheesecake?

partysugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:53:24 -0800

I think it's safe to say that most people would not turn down a creamy slice of sweet cheesecake. However, the more out of the ordinary savory cheesecake is a much harder sell. I would jump at the chance to eat Nemmie's savory stilton and bacon cheesecake, but know many of you find blue cheese — no matter what form — unappetizing. The blue cheese is mixed with cream cheese and topped with bacon, so the pungent flavor is most likely be toned down. Knowing that, would you eat this? Source

Would You Eat This Stilton and Bacon Cheesecake?

Sign me up! This looks and sounds delicious.

No way, I don't care if you mix it with cream cheese, I HATE blue cheese.

Since I'm a vegetarian, I would enjoy the cheesecake without the bacon.

I would try one bite but not eat the whole thing.

Other — see my comments below.

Yummy Link: Chocolate Marscarpone Cheese Pie

partysugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:13:31 -0800

After discovering a tub of Philadelphia's new ready-to-eat Chocolate Cheesecake Filling, Susan used it to create a delicious and delightful Valentine's Day dessert. — Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy

Delicious Down to the Very Last Bite

partysugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:13:31 -0800

Earlier today, I told you about how I accidentally passed out before dessert at a dinner party I was hosting. Embarrassment aside, the worst part was not being able to taste the dulce de leche cheesecake I made! What was left of it is pictured at left.

When I saw the recipe in the current issue of Everyday With Rachael Ray, I knew I had to make it. The crust is a mixture of crushed shortbread cookies, almonds, and brown sugar. The smooth and creamy filling is a perfect blend of luscious cream cheese and sweet caramel. To take a look at the recipe please

2007's Favorite Chain Restaurant Is...

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:01:31 -0800

One of the things we asked about in our Best of 2007 coverage was your favorite chain restaurant. The votes were all over the place, but the two lead choices were PF Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory. Both strive to bring an upscale dining experience to everyday life, and both have tasty mains and great appetizers. However I think it's the thirty cheesecake options that sealed the deal for The Cheesecake Factory. From Dutch Apple Caramel Streusel to a simple Vanilla Bean, they've got an option for everyone.

What do you think? Do you agree with this choice? Do you love The Cheesecake Factory too?

Come Party With Me: Holiday Cocktail — Menu (Sweets)

partysugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:13:31 -0800

When planning a holiday cocktail party, don't forget the desserts! Since some guests are bound to have a sweet tooth, set up a small buffet of sweet treats when you set up the savory appetizers. Guests can nibble on cheese and chocolate. Fill bowls with Christmas M&M's or Hershey's kisses.

Don't serve a cake or pie because slicing and plating it is more work for you. Instead, offer one-bite sweets that guests can help themselves to. Mini black bottom cheesecakes are decadent and delicious. The raspberry jam adds a punch of festive color. Homemade chocolate truffles are easily prepared in advance. For the recipes to these delectable desserts, please

52 Weeks of Baking: Lemon Goat Cheese Cheesecake

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:13:33 -0700

Last weekend a bunch of gals were coming over to chat and drink some wine. I planned a quick array of things to nosh on — cheese, crackers, grapes, strawberries, etc. — but really wanted to make something. That's when I remembered the Goat Cheese Cheesecake that TeamSugar member Mokona posted a few weeks ago. Goat cheese + cheesecake? How come I hadn't tried it already?

The flavor was sweeter than I anticipated, but the lemon really balanced out the "goatiness." The crust — which is made from Animal Crackers — also added the perfect texture and flavor. If you're looking to stray from the classic recipe — and I highly recommend that you do — then give this one a try! For the recipe,

Yummy Link: Marbled Ricotta Cheesecake Brownies

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:48:12 -0700

You'd have to be a fool — YumJimmy I'm talking to you — to not think these Marbled Ricotta Cheesecake Brownies are one of the best looking treats you've ever seen. - Tartelette

Cheesecake 101

partysugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:31:18 -0700

Delicious, creamy, smooth, divine... the adjectives that describe the taste of cheesecake are descriptive and hunger provoking. Whatever word you use to describe it, cheesecake is one dessert that brings a decadent finish to a meal. In honor of today being National Cheesecake Day, I put together a little lesson on perfecting the art that is the cheesecake.

Before starting to bake, be sure that all of the ingredients are at room temperature. If you do not have time to bring the elements to room temperature before mixing, soften the cream cheese in the microwave: Unwrap and place in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 15-30 seconds.
Do not over beat the filling. This will cause additional air in the batter and may cause cracking.

Invest in a spring form pan.
To prevent leaks in the oven, cover the bottom of the spring form pan with foil. OR place the spring form pan on top of a cookie sheet or pizza pan.
Don't open the oven a bunch of times when the cake is baking.
A cheesecake is ready when the edges are slightly puffed and the center jiggles when shaken.
When you remove the cake from the oven, run a butter knife around the top edge of the pan. This will help the crust naturally cool away from the sides of the pan.

Allow sufficient time to cool and chill before serving.
Garnish a cheesecake directly before serving.
To prevent cracking, bake the cheesecake in a water bath to maintain moisture.
Before filling the pan with the crust and batter, generously grease the sides. Cheesecakes shrink as they cool and you want it to shrink in on the sides rather than pulling apart in the middle.
Eliminate all lumps in the cream cheese before incorporating the eggs.

Got a helpful hint for making cheesecake? Please share it with us below!

Image Source, Image Source

Need A Picnic Dessert? Think Blue!

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:38:18 -0700

When I was thinking of an ideal dessert for a picnic, blueberries kept coming to mind. Not only am I craving them, but they are also a quintessential summer berry. Super ripe, burst-in-your-mouth blueberries are wonderful on their own, but why not throw them into a creamy smooth cheesecake batter and cut them into divine little squares? This recipe for blueberry cheesecake bars travels well, is easy to make, and will please a crowd. What are you waiting for? Get the recipe, just

Strawberry Cheesecake Two Ways - Beginner & Expert

partysugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:41:39 -0700

Every home cook, whether they are a trained professional or a newlywed new to the kitchen, should have a delicious and decadent cheesecake recipe in their repertoire. Cheesecake is one of those desserts that pleases a crowd time and time again and is better made in advance so it has time to set and chill. There are hundreds of varieties, but the classic combination of cheesecake and strawberries always pleases. I've found two recipes - one for the advanced and one for the novice (or those short on time) - that are equally scrumptious and completely doable in any home kitchen. Champagne pairs perfectly with either of these recipes, so choose the one that suites you, just

Yum Market Finds: Food For You

partysugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:53:38 -0700

Usually when I highlight cool stuff you have found in the Yum Market here on YumSugar, I always show cool products, interesting gadgets, and useful kitchen tools. Well, what about food? Ok I guess I do sometimes talk about chocolate but that doesn't really count. Chocolate is in a category of its own. Today I thought I'd share some of your favorite (non-chocolate) food items that you saved and displayed in the Yum Market. Wondering what's in these beautiful packages?? When I first saw them I was too. Adelaide found this great gift, which is actually cheesecake!! A decadent gift for mom, inside you will discover a moist chocolate cheesecake with layers of Heath crunch in vanilla and chocolate butter cream. My mouth is watering just writing that!

You know the drill for more,

Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

partysugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:59:19 -0700

Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Phew! Try saying that tongue twister three times in a row. The long name brings to mind a delicious and decadent dessert, doesn't it? If you're looking for recipes to make this weekend for St. Patrick's Day then look no further. All week we will be featuring fabulous recipes inspired by Ireland, the color green, and friendly little leprechauns. This time of year I love to use Bailey's Irish Cream liquor to enhance dessert recipes. I can't wait to make this cheesecake, it has an Oreo cookie crust and 1 whole cup of Bailey's! The long name will wow my guests and make it seem like I made an extremely difficult expert level dessert. To look at the recipe,

Chocolate Cheesecake + Oreos = Indulge!

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:08:28 -0800

I love these ridiculous national days. You would think I'd get tired of talking about them, but there are so many, it definitely keeps things interesting. Today is one for all of you cheesecake lovers, specifically chocolate cheesecake lovers. Yep the luscious mousse like cheesecake is all grown up and has its very own day. So mark it in your calendars for next year, March 6, National Chocolate Cheesecake Day. Oh and what's this I just read? March 6 also happens to be the day that Nabisco debuted the Oreo cookie. Hrmmm... This can only mean one thing. Time for a Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake! You know you want it, so

Non-Chocolate Dessert For Super Bowl

partysugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:43:43 -0800

With the Super Bowl just a few days away everyone is scrambling for yummy dessert recipes to serve at their parties. I know when you hear the words "Super Bowl" brownies and chocolate instantly come to mind, but what about lemon cheesecake squares? It's like lemon bars and cheesecake all wrapped into one divinely delicious little package. It's an unexpected, elegant dessert that is sure to have your crowd cheering. If you are doing brownies, the lemon cheesecake squares will pair nicely. To indulge yourself in this dessert,

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Treat Them with Treats

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:30:19 -0800

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and we've all got sweeties, best pals or family members who deserve that little something special. To help you figure out what to get everyone, we've put together a bunch of Valentine's Day gift guides. Today I thought we'd start things off with a little non-traditional, non-chocolate food idea! I mean everyone gives chocolate, why not give something else?

For starters I found these adorable marzipan frogs. They're hand-sculpted by renowned New York pastry artist Rebecca Russell. A set of three cute edible frogs is available for $32.00.

Three more edible gift ideas, so

Cheers for Cheesecake

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 16:37:16 -0800

I happen to know that geeksugar has a weakness for cheesecake. She just can't refuse a slice, doesn't matter when or where, if a piece of cheesecake somehow lands in her lap she devours it. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm kind of the same way. Seriously, who doesn't LOVE cheesecake with its smooth creaminess and a crumbly graham cracker crust? It's pretty easy to make (as long as you have a spring form pan). To give my vanilla cheesecake recipe a try,