Love My Philly

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Happy Fourth of July Philly Fans! We hope you have all of your food and beverages ready for your guest if you’re hosting.  If you still need a quick dessert, prepare this Fourth of July Cheesecake for a creamy and delicious patriotic dessert to accompany the rest of your menu for the today. Best part, the cheesecake is no bake and only needs at least 1 hour of refrigeration.  Enjoy a slice while watching your local fireworks.

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Makes: 16 servings
Nutritional Information

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 cup  (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 pkg.  (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tub  (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 cup strawberry jam, heated
1 pt.  (2 cups) blueberries

Instructions

MIX crumbs, butter and granulated sugar. Press firmly onto bottom of 13×9-inch dish.

BEAT cream cheese and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spoon over crust. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

PRESS assorted sizes of star cookie cutters lightly into top of cheesecake. Drizzle jam over surface of remaining cheesecake; spread gently to completely cover area around the stars. Carefully remove cookie cutter. Arrange blueberries around edge of cheesecake. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Need a last minute appetizer for your BBQ today?  Grab some assorted fruit from the grocery store or any fruit you have in your fridge to go with this Lemon-Yogurt Dip.  This recipe doesn’t call for a particular fruit because this easy to make creamy dip pairs well with any fruit. 

Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 5 min
Makes: About 2 cups or 16 servings, about 2 Tbsp. each
Nutritional Information

Ingredients

2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, softened
1-1/2 tsp. CRYSTAL LIGHT Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix

Instructions

MIX all ingredients until well blended.

SERVE as a dip with cut-up fresh fruit.

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 4 hr 25 min
Makes: 20 servings
Nutritional Information

Looking for a patriotic cheesecake recipe to prepare in advance for your guest tomorrow?  Look no further than this divine Wave Your Flag Cheesecake!  This no bake cheesecake has a layer of pound cake, strawberry gelatin with strawberries and blueberries, COOL WHIP and cream cheese mixture, and topped with more strawberries and blueberries to form the American flag. 

Ingredients

4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
  ice cubes
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (10.75 oz.) prepared pound cake, cut into 10 slices
1-1/3 cups blueberries, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Instructions

SLICE 1 cup strawberries; halve remaining strawberries. Set aside. Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add ice to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 5 min. or until slightly thickened.

MEANWHILE, line bottom of 13×9-inch dish with cake. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake. Refrigerate 4 hours or until gelatin is firm.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin. Arrange strawberry halves on cream cheese mixture to resemble stripes of flag. Add remaining blueberries for stars.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have posted several recipes here at Love My Philly.  Here are some great Memorial Day ideas for your BBQ, picnic, or other family gathering.   Don’t forget to head to the grocery store for your holiday weekend ingredients. Prepare them in advance to save time on Monday. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Layered Black Bean Dip 

Ginger-Applesauce Cake

Potatoes in Dill Cream Sauce 

Stuffed Fiesta Burgers 

Striped Delight

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is a great dip recipe if you’re heading to or hosting a gathering tomorrow.  This Beer-Cheese Dip has only five simple ingredients and 5 min to prepare.  Prepare in advance and chill in the fridge overnight.  This marvelous dip will be ready to serve the next day.

 
 
 
 
 
Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 1 hr 25 min
Makes: About 2 cups or 15 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
Nutritional Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup beer
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

BEAT cream cheese and dressing in medium bowl with mixer until well blended.

STIR in remaining ingredients.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These dainty Holiday Cheese Truffles can be enjoyed during any holiday or special occasion.  Try these other coatings for these tasty truffles — sesame seeds, chopped fresh parsley, paprika and your favorite KRAFT Shredded Cheese.

 
 
 
 
 
Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
Makes: 4 doz. truffles or 24 servings, 2 truffles and 5 crackers each
Nutritional Information
 
 
 
 

Ingredients

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder  
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
2 green onions, sliced
1-2/3 cups chopped PLANTERS Pecans  
SOCIABLES Savory Crackers

Instructions

BEAT first 4 ingredients with mixer until blended. Divide in half. Add roasted peppers to half and onions to other half; mix each until blended.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.

SHAPE into 24 (1-inch) balls. Roll in nuts. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Do you like to make edible gifts?  These Holiday Cheesecake Presents can be a perfect gift for those you love.  Use the decorating gels and sprinkles to personalize the cheesecake presents or decorate accordingly to fit any festive occasion.

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 4 hr 10 min
Makes: 32 servings
Nutritional Information

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
suggested decorations: decorating gels, colored sprinkles

HEAT oven to 350°F.

MIX crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan.

BEAT cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 30 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours. Cut into bars. Decorate with gels and sprinkles to resemble presents.

Today our nation celebrates a creamy holiday…It’s National Mousse Day! There’s no better way than to celebrate than by making this Chocolate Crème Mousse. If you’re entertaining this Monday night or saving this recipe for next weekend’s festivities, remember to garnish each serving with a small chocolate curl for an extra special touch!

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 3 hr 15 min
Makes: 6 servings
Nutritional Information

Ingredients

3 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 pkg.  (3 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 jar  (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme
2-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

Instructions

MICROWAVE chocolate on HIGH 45 seconds to 1 minute or until chocolate is completely melted when stirred. Cool slightly.

BEAT cream cheese and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; beat until well blended. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping.

PIPE evenly into 6 individual dessert dishes or spoon into serving bowl. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

 
 
 
 
 
It’s almost the time of year to start thinking about gift-giving. Consider baking a batch of these Chocolate-Raspberry Thumbprints for your family and friends because they make for wonderful gifts. As shown in the picture, these look even more fantastic in an ornate tin container. Just put a bow or tie a ribbon on it to add a special touch.

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 45 min
Makes: 27 servings
Nutritional Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
4 squares BAKER’S Unsweetened Chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup red raspberry jam

Instructions

HEAT oven to 375°F.

MIX flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in cream cheese. Add 1 cup sugar, egg and vanilla; mix well. Stir in flour mixture. Refrigerate 15 min.

ROLL dough into 1-inch balls; coat with remaining sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Press your thumb into center of each ball; fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp. jam.

BAKE 8 to 10 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 1 min. on baking sheets; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.