BLACKOUT CHEESECAKES

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Well, I guess Hell has frozen over. Covid Hell that is. Who would have thought it definitely can get worse?! What’s next?! A tsunami? Not funny.

Full disclosure, it’s my fault. I’m sorry. I have been praying for snow all December, and, all of January I prayed for a trip to Colorado. So, there it is. The truth.

But really, what a winter! I’m still in shock that we are having a Winter. Ready or not here we are. Plus, if you didn’t like life during Covid quarantine, this puts it all back to the test. Anyone else fearing that this may be like last Spring Break? You know, the one where they never actually went back to school. Nooo, no, no, no!! I can hate the government all day long for their rules, but hating Mother Nature for a delay doesn’t seem productive.

So what is a mom do that is ready to hear her own thoughts again? Send them outside…

Then, make them spend enough time that this happens…

Anyone else notice the yellow snow? I guess the dogs had to have their part in the snowman.

So the truth of the matter is, here in the country we ALWAYS are the first to be without power the SECOND the power lines feel the breeze. Therefore, it’s typical I have candles ready, firewood stocked up, and extra food supplies. HA! Sooooo…what actually happened was I only had candles and firewood ready. I ran out of groceries and didn’t wash clothes before the storm hit. I feel brilliant. We actually have been so fortunate to not have had a power outage (how? I have no idea) but, what did happen was… the drain to my kitchen sink froze and my clothes washer froze (with frozen clothes in it). Kevin has spent two days trying to defrost the washer and unclog the nasty slush frozen in the sink drain. It’s a long story but those pipes were exposed and despite covering them with towels, they still wouldn’t drain. I think the pipes themselves laugh at us when we are crouched down looking at them, trying to outsmart the situation. I would laugh at us too.

Meet (below), our saving grace. This practical Potbelly stove has saved our rears more days than I can count (it pipes out heat that makes Haiti jealous). I’m not sure if Allstate is real excited about it but, heck, we are!!

I love how every blackout we have I suddenly think, oh! Let’s make popcorn and watch a DVD. Oh, ok never mind although DVDs are now ancient they still require electricity, duh. Ok, how about a nice hot shower. Oh, ok that won’t last long, never mind. What about I get some chores done? The washer doesn’t work, oh, waaaaaaaaaa (as I throw my head into my hands wanting to cry). Hmmm, maybe I’ll read a book. Hahahaha…there are 5 kids in the house, good luck! I can never grasp how we rely almost everything we do on electricity. Maybe I’ll just rock myself in the corner. Nah, snap out of it! I have been watching “Anne with an ‘e'” and I find myself paying more attention to how they lived rather than the story. I have absolutely loved the series, highly recommend it! Especially if you ever read the book. But really, no electricity, no central air, no running water…how did life go on?! I’m mesmerized by it, and the joy of simplicity. I feel surprisingly jealous they don’t need any DVDs to be content.

So here’s what we typically do during blackouts: eat pantry snacks, play games under candlelight, argue, then realize we can either get along or go to sleep. So, we usually make food together and then go to sleep. This is a great time to snuggle up with your warm husband 😉

So, I put together my no-bake cheesecakes that requires no other material than some cold and a little bit of elbow grease if you can’t use appliances.

Cheesecakes in the snow? you betcha! Here is how you do it…

Put the graham crackers, sugar, and cinnamon in a ziplock bag and smash it into smithereens. Pour melted butter in and shake it around to coat the crackers well. If you can use your food processor it’s easier but maybe not as much of stress relief (I may have cheated and used mine, sorry, not sorry).

Bust out your cupcake pan (24 ct) and liners. Liners aren’t totally necessary but helpful.

Have your sweet, unusually busy pre-teen come smash the crackers down. A shot glass works well smashing down the crackers.

Have your cream cheese at room temperature, blend it well in a bowl with the powdered sugar until it is smooth like this:

OK! I cheated again. I used a mixer (sorry, but not sorry).

Using a small scooper, I used 2 scoops to fill 2/3 the way to the top.

Cover and place out in the freezing freakin cold outside. I mean, it’s gotta be good for something y’all!!

(I fear predators like my dogs or birds will get it so place it somewhere safe out there)

And ta-dahhhh!!

Open up a can of your favorite topping (don’t use the electric can opener, haha) and pile it on for a little piece of heaven. 🙂

And, maybe some for the wild ones in the house…use your resources. It’s nice to put those forgotten can of cherries to work.

See, there is something good that can come out of this blizzard.

Love y’all! I pray you all are warm and safe.

Lisa

Graham Cracker Crust

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • ziploc bag
  • hammer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 packages honey graham crackers or 10-12 crackers
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 2 sticks butter melted and cooled

Instructions
 

  • Place crackers in a ziplock bag. Smash to smithereens. Add cinnamon and sugar, shake well. Drizzle cooled butter into the bag and shake. Place in the designated holder and press down firmly. For cupcake pans try a shot glass to press evenly into the bottom or a pie pan for larger cakes.

NO-Bake Cheesecakes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 10 minutes

Equipment

  • mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz room temperature cream cheese (2 blocks)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 lemon (juice)
  • 2 tbsp strawberry jam (optional to taste)

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, cut cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Use a whisk to mix well with little to no chunks. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Add jam if you want to make it into a strawberry cheesecake. Chill for 3 hours to overnight.

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