Christmas Craftiness

Well, Christmas is over and the stores are filled with Valentines Day stuff... seriously! It is ridiculous. I am not ready to take my tree down. I love the Christmas lights and decor so much, one month doesn't seem long enough to enjoy it. Boo. Oh well, Christmas was great this year. It was my family's "off" year. It is usually kind of sad for me to spend Christmas in California without the snow and mountains and without my family. This year was actually great though, I think I am getting used to holidays on my own and although it is always better with my family, it is pretty great no matter what. 

Christmas Eve I went to church then my friend, Cheryl and I made cookies and watched the Muppet Christmas Carol. On Christmas morning I woke up and decided to go see Les Miserables. I was going to hold out until Thursday when my friends and I were going to go, but I decided that since I didn't have plans until the afternoon I would take advantage of my lazy plan-free morning and go see it since I had been anxiously awaiting it for months. I was not disappointed  Les Mis was amazing and definitely worth seeing twice! 

Then in the afternoon I went to my friends, the Ochoa's house for dinner. We had a delicious turkey dinner then watched Home Alone and played Harry Potter Scene It. I brought a peppermint bark cheesecake that was DELICIOUS!!! It was the perfect Christmas dessert. You should definitely try it. Here is the recipe:

Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

Peppermint Bark:

4 oz dark chocolate

4 oz white chocolate 1 tsp vegetable oil, divided 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract, divided about 4-5 crushed candy canes
1 cup sugar
4 oz white chocolate, melted
1 1/2 Tbs. flour
1 1/2 Tbs. heavy cream
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. peppermint extract
3 eggs
1 batch peppermint bark

Crust:

1 1/2 cups finely ground Oreos

4 Tbs. butter, melted

Cheesecake:

3 8 oz blocks cream cheese, softened

Chocolate Ganache:

4 oz. semi sweet chocolate

½ cup heavy whipping cream

about 2-3 crushed candy canes

Peppermint Bark:

Melt dark chocolate with ½ tsp. vegetable oil and 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract; pour on a sheet of parchment paper. Let set.

Melt white chocolate with ½ tsp. vegetable oil and 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract; pour on top of dark chocolate.

Press chopped up pieces of candy cane into the chocolate. Let set until firm. Cut into ½ inch pieces. Refrigerate until ready to add to cheesecake.

Crust:

Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter until well blended. Press mixture into a 9” spring form pan wrapped in tin foil. Bake at 375°F for 7-8 minutes. Take out and turn the oven down to 325°F.

Cheesecake:

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, eggs, and peppermint extract; mix until smooth. Add in the sugar, flour, salt, and heavy cream and blend until smooth. Melt white chocolate on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Mix into cheesecake batter. Stir the peppermint bark into the cheesecake.

Transfer spring-form pan and cooked crust to a larger pan, such as a large roasting pan. Pour filling into crust. Add enough hot water to reach half way up the sides of your spring-form pan. Carefully place in center of oven. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour. Turn off the oven. Keeping the door shut, leave the cheesecake in the oven for an additional 45 minutes. Remove and allow to sit for at least 1 hour before chilling.

Refrigerate for 24 hours.

Chocolate Ganache:

Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth.

Quickly spread a thin layer of chocolate on top of the cheesecake starting at the center and working outward. Sprinkle with crushed peppermints and gently press them into the chocolate. Let set at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Although I didn't go out and do a Pinterest Christmas like I did last year, I still made my nieces presents. I made a little baby doll for my 1 year old niece, Isla. According to Tim and Malee she loves it and cuddles it. Yay - Auntie Tamara for the win!

For my 5 year old niece, Ashton, I made these adorable little Disney Princess dolls I found on Pinterest. I love how they turned out and according to Tony and Jenn, she loves them too. Win again! I love being an aunt, it is so much fun!

Christmas is over but it was a great year. Now time to ring in the new year!