When Life Gives You Lemons.....

  Hi guys!  I am back.  I took an extended break to do some changes and a break from the blogging world.  I am happy to be back, I really missed you guys and really cannot wait to share with you guys what I have in store.

  Today I want to share with you guys an opportunity I am proud and excited to be part of.  Tamara Eckles of Jem of the South, decided to get together some wonderful and talented bakers and blogger's to showcase yummy and delectable treats in her Spring & Summer Dessert Guide.   In this guide you will see lemon, and fruit desserts for your spring and summer sweet treat.

  If you are not familiar with Jem of the South, you been living under a rock.  Tamara introduces and discovers something sweet and her monthly on-line radio, Jem Radio, highlights small business owners in the dessert industry.  Sweetness.

  So of course, your truly was beyond excited when Ms. Eckles asked me to be part of her Spring & Summer Guide, I could not desert you guys.  Due this is a Spring Summer dessert guide I wanted to bring something to the table that is light, sweet, and also a classic. What better than cheesecake.   You can never go wrong with cheesecake.

                     When Life Gives You Lemons... 

                                                                                You Make Lemon Cheesecake.

      I melted when I took a bite of this cheesecake, just the right amount of lemon bursts in your mouth, not too tangy but the sweet and cream just makes you feel like you in cheesecake heaven.

   As we know cheesecake, takes some extra steps, don't get discourage because at the end you sure will be delighted.

  Is your mouth watering?  Want a bite, or better the whole cheesecake?  Go over to Jem of the South Spring/Summer Dessert Guide and download the recipe.  But I must warn you, your mouth will still be watering when you see what the other bakers came up with.    Enjoy!

Mango Cheesecake

Have you ever been to the Cheesecake Factory?  They have some of the most eye catching cheesecakes.  You know when you see something that looks good but when you go try it out it not what you imagine.  Well that’s not the case with the Cheesecake Factory.  Not only they look good but they taste off the chain.  I was looking through one of my favorite magazine subscriptions and came across their Mango Key Lime cheesecake.  Oh boy that had my mouth watering. 

When I saw the ad from Cheesecake Factory and I know my mother-in law is visiting us, I knew right there and there what I was going to create. - Mango Cheesecake. 

You must be asking what my mother-in-law has to do with cheesecake.  Well, my mother-in-law lives where I am originally from, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.  Mangoes are one of the sweetest things about living in the Virgin Islands.    They are juicier, plump, sweet, and words can’t even express how good they are.   When they are yellow, red, or orange you know right there it is ripe and ready to be devoured.  Plus since it is summertime, this is when mangoes are everywhere.  One of the joys is if your family or you know someone who has mango tree in their yard, you never have to go to market or miss out.  I remember the days I got in so much trouble for climbing other people trees and taking their mangoes. 

Well, my fiancé was talking to his mom the day before she arrives and I told him to tell him to tell her bring some mangoes.  I lighted up when she agreed.  Now keep in mind I was the one to ask for mangoes, the day she arrived she brought four and my fiancé ate all four that same night.  My heart was crushed.  But I did not deviate from the plan, so I had no other choice but head to Farmer’s Market.

This month Crazy Cooking Challenge is all about Cheesecake. I did my Mango Cheesecake with a Mango Glaze topped with fresh fruit.  Even though the mangoes from Farmers Market was not as sweet as I envisioned them when I ate one,I brought back the flavor when I puree them with sugar and vanilla bean.

I used Grace’s Sweet LifeRecipe.  I altered the crust by using half of almond flour and honey graham crackers mixed together with sugar and melted butter.  For the filling instead of ricotta cheese I used mascarpone cheese. 

What you think of my Mango Cheesecake.  I wish you was here to try it with me.  Yum!