Yeast Tips

When making anything with yeast in it, here are a few tips that my wise mother finally shared with me a few years ago:

1. Make sure the water is very warm - not hot, but not lukewarm either.
2. Sprinkle a little sugar in with the yeast
3. It should poof up like crazy. Look at that!

Cranberry Cheesecake

Ingredients:
12 graham crackers
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter
1 1/4 c. cranberry juice
1 small pkg raspberry jello
1 can jellied cranberry sauce
2 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese (softened)
2/3 c. sugar
2 Tbl milk
4 tsp vanilla
1/2 pint whipped cream

Directions:
Blend the graham crackers to form crumbs and mix with 1/4 c. sugar and the melted butter. Press into 9x13 pan.
Boil cranberry juice and stir in jello until dissolved. Mash cranberry sauce and add to jello mixture. Let thicken in fridge. Will be slightly lumpy.
Combine cream cheese and 2/3 c. sugar. Add milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Pour thickened jello on top. Chill until firm.

Notes:
This is a family favorite that we make for most holidays and it always disappears! Even those that aren't cranberry fans devour this dessert!

Fast & Easy Pizza Crust

Courtesy of Maren

Ingredients:
2 1/4 tsp yeast
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. warm water
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbl oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk yeast in warm water and add a sprinkle of sugar. Let sit untill dissolved and fluffy. Stir in flour, oil, and salt. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for 20 strokes. It will be very sticky! Let rise while you prepare your pizza toppings. Roll out dough onto pizza stone or baking sheet. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake 10 min or until crust begins to brown.

Notes:
I love this recipe because there are so few ingredients and it takes so little time to make. You can make it early in the day and refrigerate it until you are ready to use it or make it right before dinner. Simple!