The Harried Housewife

Lemon Cheesecake Tarts

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Lemon Cheesecake Tarts
LEMON CHEESECAKE TARTS
1 (6-count) packages store-bought mini graham cracker pie crusts
1 (8-ounce) package regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
Whipped cream (optional)
Lemon slices (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place crusts in their foil pans on a baking sheet. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar; beat until smooth. Add egg and lemon juice; beat until combined. Stir in lemon zest. Divide batter among crusts. Bake until centers are just set, 20 to 22 minutes. Place tarts on a wire rack. Cool completely. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours. Remove tarts from their disposable foil pans, if desired. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/desserts-2/lemon-cheesecake-tarts-2/

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

Make it extra indulgent by muddling a bit more mint, sugar, and lemon juice in each glass and adding a shot of rum along with the tea mixture.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
8 cups water
6 regular size tea bags
1 1/2 cups fresh mint leaves
Juice from 4 medium lemons
Ice cubes
Lemon slices
Mint sprigs

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 2 cups water. Heat over medium heat until sugar has dissolved, 2 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Pour the remaining 6 cups water into a large saucepan; cover and bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add tea bags and mint. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a large pitcher. Stir in sugar/water mixture; cover and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice. Place ice cubes in glasses; pour lemon mint iced tea over ice cubes; garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs. Makes 10 servings.

Notes

An acrylic pitcher from Oneida is perfect for outdoor entertaining.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/harried-housewifes-recipe-box/lemon-mint-iced-tea-2/

Thanks to Oneida for providing serveware

Red, White, and Blue Sprinkle Cupcakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Red, White, Blue Sprinkle Cupcakes
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE SPRINKLE CUPCAKES
1 (4-serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1 (16.5-ounce) package plain yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup red, white, and blue candy sprinkles, plus more for garnish
Easy Creamy Frosting
EASY CREAMY FROSTING
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1/2 cup heavy (or whipping) cream
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and heavy cream. Whisk for 1 minute. Stir in whipped topping and vanilla.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper liners. Reserve 2 tablespoons pudding mix for frosting (see below). In a large bowl, combine the remaining pudding mix, cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and vanilla. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup candy sprinkles. Divide into muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Easy Creamy Frosting; garnish with candy sprinkles. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Notes

This Oneida Professional 12 Cup Muffin Non-Stick Pan is the ultimate in practicality.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/desserts-2/red-white-and-blue-sprinkle-cupcakes-2/

Thanks to Oneida for providing bakeware

Creamy Herb Dip

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 15 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Creamy Herb Dip
CREAMY HERB DIP
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light sour cream
3/4 cup regular or light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash salt and pepper
Assorted vegetables, crackers, or chips

Instructions

For dip, in a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, parsley, chives, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Serve with assorted vegetables, crackers, or chips. Makes 15 servings.

Notes

This pretty Anchor Hocking Presence Chip N Dip set will make any gathering extra special.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/appetizers/creamy-herb-dip-2/

Thanks to Anchor Hocking for providing serveware

Banana Pancakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes per batch

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2
BANANA PANCAKES
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2 eggs
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, melted
3 ripe medium bananas, mashed
Vegetable oil, for griddle (optional)
Sliced bananas (optional)
Pure maple syrup

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, butter, and bananas. Add to flour mixture; whisk just until combined.
Heat griddle to 375 degrees or set a heavy skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush griddle or skillet with vegetable oil, if necessary. Working in batches, ladle 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. Cook pancakes until tops are covered with bubbles and edges are slightly dry, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn pancakes over; cook until bottoms are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with sliced bananas, if desired. Serve with maple syrup. Makes 6 servings.

Notes

Serve banana pancakes on restaurant-style plates like these Oneida Chef's Table Plates for pretty presentation.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/breakfastbrunch/banana-pancakes-2/

Thanks to Oneida for providing dinnerware

Easy Cherry Lemonade

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2
EASY CHERRY LEMONADE
1 (2-quart serving size) envelope lemon flavor unsweetened soft drink mix
3/4 cup sugar
8 cups cold water
1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
Juice of 1 medium lemon
Lemon wedges
Maraschino cherries
Ice cubes

Instructions

In a large pitcher, combine drink mix, sugar, water, cherry juice, and lemon juice. Add lemon wedges and maraschino cherries. Place ice cubes in glasses; pour cherry lemonade over ice cubes. Makes 8 servings.

Notes

This Oneida Iced Pitcher is just what's needed for outdoor entertaining.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/harried-housewifes-recipe-box/easy-cherry-lemonade-2/

Thanks to Oneida for providing serveware

Lemon Chive Rice

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2 Harried Housewife Lemon Chive Rice
LEMON CHIVE RICE
2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons dried parsley, crushed
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon dried minced onions
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups instant rice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 teaspoons chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, lemon zest, parsley, bouillon, onions, and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice, lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons chives; remove from heat. Cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon chives. Garnish with fresh chives. Makes 4 servings.

Notes

This Chef's Table Small Serving Bowl from Oneida is just right for tasty side dishes.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/side-dishes/lemon-chive-rice-2/

Thanks to Oneida for providing serverware

Easy Yellow Cupcakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 24 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2
EASY YELLOW CUPCAKES
1 (4-serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1 (15.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix)
1/4 cup flour
4 eggs
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Candy sprinkles and/or edible decorations (optional)
Easy Vanilla Frosting
EASY VANILLA FROSTING
2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1/2 cup heavy (or whipping) cream
1 (8-ounce) carton regular or light frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 to 8 drops yellow food color (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine pudding mix and heavy cream. Whisk until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in whipped topping, vanilla, and food color, if desired.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper liners. Reserve 2 tablespoons pudding mix for frosting (see below). In a large bowl, combine the remaining pudding mix, cake mix, flour, eggs, water, oil, and vanilla. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Divide into muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Easy Vanilla Frosting; garnish with candy sprinkles and/or edible decorations, if desired. Makes 24 cupcakes.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/desserts-2/easy-yellow-cupcakes/

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2
BACON RANCH DEVILED EGGS
6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled
2 1/2 tablespoons regular or light mayonnaise
2 1/2 tablespoons regular or light Ranch salad dressing
2 tablespoons real bacon bits, plus more for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced fresh chives (optional)

Instructions

Slice eggs in half lengthwise. Remove egg yolks from whites. Place yolks in a medium bowl. Mash with a fork. Add mayonnaise, dressing, 2 tablespoons bacon bits, salt, and pepper. Mix well; spoon or pipe mixture into halves of eggs. Sprinkle with bacon bits and garnish with chives, if desired. Makes 12 deviled eggs.

Notes

This pretty Anchor Hocking Deviled Egg Tray is perfect for serving these yummy hors d'oeuvres.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/appetizers/bacon-ranch-deviled-eggs-2/

Thanks to Anchor Hocking for providing serveware

Spring Nests: Recipe for Easter

Spring Nests

Spring Nests: Recipe for Easter

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 12 servings

Ingredients

As seen on WKTV NEWSChannel 2
SPRING NESTS
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 ounces high-quality white chocolate, finely chopped
4 cups pretzel sticks, broken
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 teaspoon water
3 to 4 drops green food color
Assorted candy

Instructions

Lightly coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows and white chocolate. Cook over medium-low heat until marshmallows and white chocolate are melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add pretzel sticks; stir until completely coated. Cool 3 minutes. Coat hands with cooking spray; press mixture onto bottom and up sides of prepared cups. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine coconut, water, and food color; toss to combine. Remove nests from cups; fill with tinted coconut and assorted candy. Makes 12 spring nests.

https://www.theharriedhousewife.com/desserts-2/spring-nests-recipe-for-easter/

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The Harried Housewife

Lemon Cheesecake Tarts

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Red, White, and Blue Sprinkle Cupcakes

Creamy Herb Dip

Banana Pancakes

Easy Cherry Lemonade

Lemon Chive Rice

Easy Yellow Cupcakes

Bacon Ranch Deviled Eggs

Spring Nests: Recipe for Easter

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