marbled mango cheesecake bites
somedays, life just gets away from you. you wake up in the morning with a plan, and at the end of the day, everything you wanted to accomplish is in shambles. 

that pretty much sums up the day of my birthday party. i had all these pretty and delicious cakes planned, but life was not cooperating and time got away from me and i of course ended up an emotional mess.

no surprise, all my friends and family are amazing and they all came and made the day extra special. but i learned a valuable lesson. when in doubt, go with a staple. 

you know what i mean. that tried, true go to. and my dessert staple is cheesecake. these bites are great because they are easy to make, easy on the eyes, and easy to make disappear. the best part is you can make them seasonal with any of your favorite fruits and you can enhance colors with just a drop or two of food color. 

marbled mango cheesecake bites
serves: 1-2 dozen depending on your size preference
prep time: 5 minutes
bake time:30 minutes
cool time: 2 hours to over night
total time: 2 hours 35 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup finely chopped pecans (i pulse mine in the food processor). 1 cup flour. 1 stick butter, melted. .25 cup brown sugar. pinch of salt. 1 lb softened cream cheese. 1 cup sugar. 3 eggs. 1 tsp vanilla extract. .25 cup mango purée. 9 x 13 baking dish. parchment paper. tooth pick. 
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start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. in a medium bowl, combine the flour, pecans, brown sugar and melted butter. 

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use your hands to lightly combine the mixture till it is in pebble size crumbs. 

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pour the crust dough into a parchment lined 9 x 13 dish. use your palms to press the dough till it reaches the edges of the dish. 

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bake until the crust starts to turn golden. about 10-12 minutes. while the crust is baking, prepare the filling. 

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in the bowl of a stand mixer with your whisk attachment or with a hand blender, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. about 3-5 minutes. 

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reduce the speed of your mixer to add in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. 

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once your crust is out pour all but .5 cup of the filling over the crust. use a spatula or butter knife to spread the filling evenly over the crust. 

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combine your mango puree with the remaining .5 cup filling. mix until completely combined. 

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using a spoon, drizzle your mango cheese cake mixture over the cheese cake filling. 

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then, using your toothpick, swirl the mango cheesecake filling to create a marbled effect. 

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bake the cheesecake in the oven until set, 20-25 minutes. 

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when the cheesecake is set, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely. pop it in the freezer for a half hour or so till it gets really solid. 

then slice off the rough edges, and cut into squares of your size choice. serve or store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 

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xo, a

marbled mango cheesecake bites
serves: 1-2 dozen depending on your size preference
prep time: 5 minutes
bake time: 30 minutes
cool time: 2 hours to over night
total time: 2 hours 35 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup finely chopped pecans (i pulse mine in the food processor). 1 cup flour. 1 stick butter, melted. .25 cup brown sugar. pinch of salt. 1 lb softened cream cheese. 1 cup sugar. 3 eggs. 1 tsp vanilla extract. .25 cup mango purée. 9 x 13 baking dish. parchment paper. tooth pick.
start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. in a medium bowl, combine the flour, pecans, brown sugar and melted butter. use your hands to lightly combine the mixture till it is in pebble size crumbs. pour the crust dough into a parchment lined 9 x 13 dish. use your palms to press the dough till it reaches the edges of the dish. bake until the crust starts to turn golden. about 10-12 minutes. while the crust is baking, prepare the filling. in the bowl of a stand mixer with your whisk attachment or with a hand blender, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. about 3-5 minutes. reduce the speed of your mixer to add in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. once your crust is out. pour all but .5 cup of the filling over the crust. use a spatula or butter knife to spread the filling evenly over the crust. combine your mango puree with the remaining .5 cup filling. mix until completely combined. using a spoon, drizzle your mango cheese cake mixture over the cheese cake filling. then, using your toothpick, swirl the mango cheesecake filling to create a marbled effect. bake the cheesecake in the oven until set, 20-25 minutes. when the cheesecake is set, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely. pop it in the freezer for a half hour or so till it gets really solid. then slice off the rough edges, and cut into squares of your size choice. serve or store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 

friyay happy hour: watermelon agua fresca

things are looking bright, shiny and new as i welcome in another year of life. yesterday was my thirty-first birthday and i spent the day working at things i love, surrounded by people i love. and in my opinion, that is a pretty perfect birthday. i was able to teach spin, yoga and swim lessons and i shared my heart with my students the best way i know how, with lots of cake. 

early may has always been been a special time. it is not only my birthday on the fourth, but some of my closest friends and family have birthdays within days of mine. and yesterday, the early may days got a little more special. on may third just hours from my own birthday, on the other side of the world, my soul sister jeanelle gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, vibrant girl named elena, making me an auntie to another beautiful baby girl. 

so i will be celebrating baby girl and her sweet momma all weekend long. even though we can't be together for these special days, i know we are both celebrating our special moments together. sunday, i'll be toasting all the special birthdays with this agua fresca. wes and i are having close friends and family over and we are serving up this tasty watermelon beverage. it is great on it's own, or with a little nip of vodka or rum. 

watermelon agua fresca
serves: 2 cups agua fresca
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes ingredients: 2 cups chopped watermelon (the juicier the better). 1 tbs lime juice + 1 lime wedge for garnish. 5 mint leaves + mint sprig for garnish. 1 tbs sugar. stainer. food processor or blender. 

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start by combining your mint leaves and watermelon in the bowl of a food processor or blender. blend until completely pureed. 

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train the liquid over a large bowl or cup. press out all the juices of the water melon and discard the solids. 

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stir in lime juice and sugar till well combined. 

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pour over ice (add alcohol if you like), garnish with mint sprig + a lime wedge and serve. 

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xo, a

watermelon agua fresca
serves: 2 cups agua fresca
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes ingredients: 2 cups chopped watermelon (the juicier the better). 1 tbs lime juice + 1 lime wedge for garnish. 5 mint leaves + mint sprig for garnish. 1 tbs sugar. stainer. food processor or blender. start by combining your mint leaves and watermelon in the bowl of a food processor or blender. blend until completely pureed. strain the liquid over a large bowl or cup. press out all the juices of the water melon and discard the solids. stir in lime juice and sugar till well combined. pour over ice (add alcohol if you like), garnish with mint sprig + a lime wedge and serve.