Desserts That Impress (Without the Stress)

    Want to impress everyone with a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen? These desserts look great, taste great, and are sure to please a crowd. Good dessert does not have to be complicated.

Mini Keylime Cheesecakes

 

These are so simple to make, but so full of flavor they are sure to please the crowd.

• 24 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 lime zested (about 1 Tbsp)
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cups of key lime juice
• 3 packs of Keebler mini Graham Cracker Crusts

1. Pre-heat the oven to 300° F
2. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, lime zest, and cornstarch in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth
3. Beat in eggs one at a time
4. Add the key-lime juice with the mixer on low power and mix until smooth. Be careful to not over mix as it can cause cracking during baking
5. Pour into the pie crusts that are arranged on cookie sheets and put into the oven
6. Cook for about 25 - 30 minutes
7. Crack the oven open and turn the oven off, let the cheesecakes cool off in oven for about 30 minutes, then let cook on a wire rack. 
8. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight and they are ready to serve!
9. Enjoy!

It may seem like there are a lot of steps but this is such a simple recipe to make and so fast to put together, the only time consuming part is the cooking. These mini key-lime cheesecakes have been a huge hit at every gathering I have made them for. If you have leftovers, just wrap them in saran wrap and freeze, they will be good for a while, though they don't seem to last long in my freezer...

Devilishly Sweet Eggs

Have those egg shaped cupcake trays that you only use around Easter and don't know what else to use them for? Look no further, the sweet version of deviled eggs is perfect for that use. Deviled eggs are always a hit, so why wouldn't a dessert version?

• 1 pack of Nestle cookie dough (or homemade if you want to make your own cookie dough)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 Tbsp heavy cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Pre-heat oven to 350° F
2. Fill egg shaped tray with cookie dough, just place the dough in the mold, no need to press down. Once the oven is pre-heated throw in oven and cook for about 8-9 minutes or until golden brown. Once the cookies are out of the oven, use a spoon to make the indent of the eggs, allow eggs to cool on a wired rack.
3. In a medium sized bowl with an electric mixer, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth
4. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add 3 cups of the powdered sugar along with the cream and vanilla extract. Mix.
5. Gradually add the remaining cup of powdered sugar and mix for about 3 - 5 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy. 
6. Once the cookies are cooled, put the frosting into a piping bag and pipe into the center of the cookies, top with chocolate or sprinkles. 
7. Enjoy!

Maple Candy

Have a ton of maple syrup sitting around your house than you know what to do with? This is such an easy recipe to make that helps you get through that stash!

• 2 cups maple syrup
• Splash of vanilla extract (optional)

Such a short ingredient list!

1. On medium heat in a pot, attach a candy thermometer. It is very important that this does not touch the bottom of the pot. Pour in the maple syrup and splash of vanilla extract, if you would like to add that.
2. Stirring occasionally, boil the syrup until it reaches 235° F
3. Take off heat and let sit without stirring until it reaches 175°, about 10 minutes
4. Stir rapidly for about 5 minutes until it becomes thick and creamy, almost like a caramel color, pour into your mold
5. Let cool at room temperature until it sets, then serve! Make sure to store in an airtight container
6. Enjoy!

I may be biased, but these desserts are so delicious and tend to be a hit amongst the crowds. Baking can be stressful, but with these recipes it does not need to be! Save this post for later and treat yourself to something sweet!