Apple Caramel Dip

This easy fruit dip uses store bought caramel and staples that you probably have in your pantry. It goes perfectly with crispy, tart apples especially Granny Smiths.

•2-8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
•1/4 cup brown sugar
•Tub of caramel dip
•1/4 cup toffee bits
•1/4 cup pecan pieces
•Sliced apples of choice

Mix cream cheese with brown sugar. Spread in your favorite serving dish. Pour caramel dip on top of cream cheese mixture and top with toffee bits and pecan pieces.

Serve with apples. To keep apples from turning brown, dip them in a mixture of lemon juice and water immediately after slicing.

Strawberry Bottom Cheesecake

1 graham cracker pie crust
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
1 t. vanilla
4 oz. cool whip
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 c. strawberry glaze

Beat cream cheese till smooth. Slowly beat in sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Fold in cool whip.

Spread thin layer of glaze over bottom of crust. Place strawberry slices on glaze and cover w/ remaining glaze. Gently spoon cream cheese mixture over top.

Cover and chill until set - at least 4 hours.

Cheesecake

This cheesecake will make others think you bought it. It's THAT good. Very creamy, tasty and FAT. **I love the crust, so I double the thickness by doubling the crust recipe.**

Combine:
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
3 T. sugar
3 T. melted butter
Press into 9" Springform pan, bake at 350 for 10 min.

Beat till well blended:
5- 8 oz pkgs softened cream cheese
1 c. sugar
3 T. flour
1 T. vanilla
Add, and mix well:
1 c. sour cream
Add 1 at a time, slowly until well blended
4 eggs

Pour filling over crust. Bake at 325 approx 1 hour, 5 min till center is almost set. Cool before serving. NOTE: The cheese cake with rise significantly in the oven and probably crack around the edges - don't worry - it tastes marvelous!

Carrot Cake

This is my husbands absolute favorite cake - especially with the cream cheese frosting.

2 c. shredded or finely chopped carrots
2 c. sugar
1 c. crushed pineapple
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
3 c. flour
1 c. nuts - opt.

Combine all, pour into greased/floured 9x13 pan - bake 20-30 min or till toothpick comes out clean.

FROSTING:
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 c. softened butter
powdered sugar
sweetened condensed milk

Beat in pow sugar and canned milk until creamy. (can add orange food coloring if desired)