| When I think of cream cheese, I | | | | Preheat oven to 350F. Put cupcake papers |
| immediately think of bagels. I love | | | | into pan. Prepare chocolate cake mix |
| bagels and cream cheese. However cream | | | | according to package instructions and |
| cheese is wonderful in many other | | | | set aside. In a separate bowl, mix |
| recipes. | | | | together the sugar and the softened |
| I think one of my favorite recipes is | | | | cream cheese until smooth. Beat egg and |
| crab and cream cheese wontons. Although | | | | add to sugar mixture, mix well. Gently |
| meant as an appetizer, I can easily | | | | mix in the chocolate chips. Fill cupcake |
| devour a dozen of them leaving no room | | | | cases 1/2 full of chocolate cake batter. |
| for the actual dinner. | | | | Then add 1 full teaspoon of cream cheese |
| Crab and Cream Cheese Wontons | | | | mixture to center. Top with more |
| 4 ounces of crab meat (you can use fresh | | | | chocolate cake batter. Cupcake cups |
| or canned) 2 ounces cream cheese | | | | should be 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for |
| (solid is best, not whipped) 1/4 | | | | 20-30 minutes or until tops spring back |
| teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/2 | | | | when lightly touched in center. |
| teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon | | | | Note: You can use peanut butter chips |
| kosher salt or to taste 1/8 teaspoon | | | | instead of chocolate chips for a |
| black pepper 2 teaspoons chives Small | | | | wonderful peanut butter and chocolate |
| dish of water Wonton wrappers | | | | taste. |
| Mix the crab, cream cheese, lemon zest, | | | | And finally, a wonderful cream cheese |
| lemon juice, salt, pepper and chives | | | | dip to serve with either crackers or |
| together. Taste and adjust seasoning to | | | | vegetables: |
| your taste. | | | | Horseradish & Cream Cheese Dip 2 |
| Put a spoonful of mixture into each | | | | packages (3 oz. each) cream cheese, |
| wonton shell. Use water to moisten the | | | | softened 2 tablespoons prepared |
| edges and fold into triangles. | | | | horseradish 1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use |
| When ready to eat, heat in oil until | | | | low fat) 1/4 teaspoon salt pepper to |
| brown on both sides. | | | | taste (experiment using both white and |
| Another of my favorite recipes using | | | | black pepper) |
| cream cheese is this recipe for | | | | 6 slices of bacon, crumbled Mix the |
| chocolate cupcakes, using cream cheese | | | | cream cheese, horseradish, mayonnaise, |
| to make them very moist: | | | | salt and pepper. Add bacon pieces and |
| Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes 1 | | | | mix. Refrigerate over night so flavors |
| package chocolate cake mix (any brand) | | | | can blend. |
| 1 package cream cheese (softened) 1/2 | | | | This is just a small sample of what you |
| cup white sugar 1 egg 1 cup mini | | | | can do with cream cheese as your main |
| chocolate chips (I always use milk | | | | ingredient in recipes. |
| chocolate, as I like the cupcakes sweet) | | | | |