Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

Alright ladies! I decided to start the blog off with something yummy. This is a recipe that I have tried myself more than once and has always been a huge hit, often being requested as what I bring to the next gathering. And since it's officially fall, I figured something apple-related would be appropriate. Enjoy!
P.S. Lets give credit where credit is due. Here's the original link to the recipe: Half Baked Blog

Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

Ingredients:  12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 3 Tbs. heavy cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla Caramel sauce (recipe below) or store bought Heath milk chocolate pieces mini chocolate chips 2-4 Granny Smith or other crisp tart apples, sliced and soaking in lemon juice/water until ready to serve Method: This is the method is to make a layered dip, for a quick method see note below.  Line a six inch cake pan or springform pan with plastic wrap. Use enough plastic wrap to hang over the sides of the pan about 2 inches.Place softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth. Scrap down the sides of the bowl. Add the heavy cream and powdered sugar, mix well, until smooth. Place half of the cream cheese mixture in the lined pan and smooth with the back of a spoon. (If you dip the spoon into warm water before you start to smooth the cream cheese, it will be much easier to spread.) Spoon on a layer of caramel. Sprinkle with a layer of chocolate chips and the Health pieces. How much you use is up to you but don't go to overboard or you may have trouble spreading the top layer of cream cheese. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This will let the caramel set up a bit and make topping it with the remaining cream cheese much easier. Scoop the remaining cream cheese on top and smooth out using the back of a dampened spoon, like you did for the first layer. Fold the overhanging plastic wrap over the top and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight. Pull back the plastic wrap so that the top of the cheesecake is exposed. Place a serving plate on top of the pan and invert. Remove the pan and the plastic wrap. Spoon caramel sauce over the top of you cheese cake and top with more of the Heath pieces and chocolate chips. Place the sliced apples around the dip and serve. *Note: If you want to throw this together super fast, just spread all the cream cheese on a serving platter and top with the caramel, Heath bits, and the mini chocolate chips.

Welcome!

Well hello ladies! Welcome to the new Cordova MOPS blog! This year we decided to try something different in lieu of a printed newsletter. We figured that this format would be more accessible and enjoyable for the average busy mommy and, quite frankly, would make things a little easier on me because finding material for a full newsletter every time was running me fresh out of ideas quickly.

So here's how the blog will work. Once or twice a week I'll post a new entry and link it on the Cordova MOPS page for your viewing pleasure. (Or, if you have a blogspot account, you can follow the blog if that's easier.) Rather than each entry containing all of the components of the original newsletter every time (recipe, articles, craft idea, etc.) it will just feature one of those things. You may also be fortunate enough to enjoy the occassional article written by the lovely Wendy Power, who has generously offered her services. I may even try my hand at authoring something, too. (That one may not be so fortunate for you.) :)

I hope you enjoy this new format. Please feel free to give me any feedback or suggestions you might have on the format or content. I'm also still very willing to take suggestions for things to feature on the blog. I'd really like all recipes and crafts to be something that either myself or someone I know has tried, so if you have something you've done that you really loved please share it with me and I'll get it on here. So keep your eyes open in the next day or so for the first real entry.

P.S. Don't worry, the blog will be much prettier in the future. I'm still working on that part. :)