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