Cheesecake - Party of 1!

Ok, so here is a way to have your cheesecake and eat it to.
What better way to have more than 1 cheesecake (when you're craving)... just make "mini" cheesecakes. Then you can have 2 or 4 and feel good about yourself
(or is this just my twisted logic?)

RECIPE:
*Crust*
1 c graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c sugar
7-8 tbsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine above ingredients thoroughly, and spoon into the bottom of mini pie pans (you can also use this mix for (1) large cheesecake - recipe yield (1) 8 inch springform cake pan).

Press mixture up against the sides of the pan.

Bake for 5 minutes (8 if using a cake pan). Let cool.

RECIPE:
*Filling*
12 oz cream cheese, softened
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs

Beat cream cheese first. Add sugar and vanilla, mix until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time. Spoon mixture into prepared crust.

Place in a baking pan 1/2 filled with water (to prevent cracking). Bake 15-17 minutes (40-45 minutes for full cake pan). Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate ovenight.

Homemade Beignets

So these little treats are "all the rage" in the Big Easy.
Here's a version that Mrs. Paula Deen taught me.

RECIPE: (note - I 1/2 the entire recipe and ended up with like 40)
1 1/2 c luke warm water
1/2 c sugar
1 envelop yeast
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 c evaporated milk
1/4 c shortening (not melted)
7 c bread flour
confectioner's sugar

Activate yeast in water and sugar; allow to rest and bubble for 10 minutes.
Mix together eggs, salt and milk together. Add milk mixture to yeast, combine.
Add in 3 cups of the flour. Add shortening, 'cutting' it into the mixture. Add remaining flour.


Turn mixture out onto a flour surface. Knead until combined. Place dough in an oiled bowl and rest for 2 hours in a warm (not hot) place. After 2 hours, roll dough out to 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Cut into squares and fry in 350 degrees, until golden brown.


Drain slightly and then dump in a bag filled with confectioner's sugar to coat.


NOTE: be careful and constantly turn these little guys or they will bust open and you won't be able to keep them on one side.