Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

These little bars are seriously a little piece of heaven.  They actually taste a lot like cheesecake.  It doesn't have the classic graham cracker crust.  It's made out of a cake mix, but I like this crust even better.  That could be the new excitement talking. Cheesecake is my favorite dessert, and this made it even better!  I sampled some when it was fresh out of the oven, which you're not really supposed to do, but I was too excited about them!  I liked it better hot.  It's amazing after it's chilled too, but there's something about warm cheesecake that melts your insides. Mmmm!  I promise you'll love every luscious bite.  And it's pretty easy, too!  I got the recipe online.


Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

1 box lemon cake mix (I used white, and it was wonderful)
1/2 cup oil
8 oz (1 package) cream cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs

Mix cake mix, oil, and one egg.  Hold out 3/4 cup of mix.  Put the rest in an ungreased 9x13 pan.  Pat all over the bottom.  Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.

While this cooks mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, and lemon juice with mixer.  Spread over cooked portion in pan.  Sprinkle reserved 3/4 cup of cake mix over the top.  Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.  Cut into pieces and serve.

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

I love these brownies!!! They're fun to make, but I had to wait until cream cheese went on sale to make them. I got the recipe online.
Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

Filling:
4 oz cream cheese (1/2 package)
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Brownies:
Brownie mix and all that goes with it

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom only of 9-inch square pan. beat filling ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread 3/4 of batter in pan. Spoon filling onto batter. Add remaining batter. Cut through mixture with a knife for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips if desired.
Bake 40-44 minutes. Cool. Store in fridge.

Candied Popcorn

Popcorn may just be the best thing ever invented. If I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life, I'd probably choose popcorn. But I'm glad I don't have to do that, because I love lots of different foods. Anyway, with this popcorn, I made it patriotic by adding food coloring. I used two different colors, so I made two batches. You don't have to make it patriotic if you don't want to. You can make it for different holidays, birthdays, or for fun. I made it for Activity Days. The girls loved it. They went back for seconds. Then, I was babysitting my niece and nephews, my niece tried the leftovers and said that it was the best popcorn she had ever tasted. Now, realize that she's five, and every experience is the best ever. It also was sugary, and she loves sugary stuff, but it is really good. I got this recipe from another blog that I'm following. Here you go!

Candied Popcorn

1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups popcorn (popped)
Few drops of food coloring (optional)

Boil sugar, salt, and water to 235 degrees F (soft ball stage). Remove from heat. Add vanilla and food coloring. Pour over popped popcorn and stir until glaze sugars.