The girls cooked for Father's Day!

[DecoMom]

Woohoo! They suggested it and I was too sick with a cold to argue back.

The menu included lime-watermelon agua fresca (DD1); penne pasta with sausage (DD2); tossed salad (DD2 with help from me, in the interest of time); and chocolate brownie cheesecake (DD1). Aside from the brownie crust being a bit dense (probably due to over-mixing), everything turned out great. I supervised DD2 a bit more and offered some tips on technique, but let both of them do the heavy lifting.

[lilmomma3175]

could i have the recipe for the chocolate brownie cheesecake please?

[DecoMom]

Brownie layer:
6 tbsp melted butter or margarine
1.25 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 c plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/3 c Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Truffle cheesecake layer:
3 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 c sugar
4 eggs
1/4 c heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 c (appr. one 12-oz pkg) Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips, divided
1/2 tsp shortening (NO SUBSTITUTIONS)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9-inch springform pan.

2. For brownie layer, stir together melted butter, 1.25 c sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Add 2 eggs; stir until blended. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt; blend well. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until brownie layer pulls away from side of pan.

3. Meanwhile for truffle cheesecake layer, beat cream cheese and 3/4 c sugar with electric mixer on medium speed in large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in 4 eggs, heavy cream, 2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp salt until well blended.

4. Set aside 2 tbsp chocolate chips. Place remaining chips in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 1.5 minutes or until chips are melted and smooth when stirred. Gradually blend melted chocolate into cheesecake batter.

5. Remove brownie layer from oven and immediately spoon cheesecake mixture over brownie. Return to oven; continue baking 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen cake from side of pan. Cool to room temperature. Remove side of pan.

6. Place remaining 2 tbsp chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Drizzle over top of cheesecake. Cover; refrigerate several hours until cold. Garnish as desired.

[cathyb]

That is great Deco! One good thing about the girls getting older is their ability to take over some of the cooking chores. My mom went back to work when I was 14 and I became the "cook". Of course, it was very simple meals that my mom had prepped beforehand but it made me feel very grown up and it sparked my interested in cooking.

By the time I graduated from high school, I was making bread from scratch, homemade ravioli and spaghetti sauce from scratch. Making meals is a great way for a kid to contribute to the family!

[DecoMom]

DD1 definitely is headed that way. She made cookies yesterday — unsupervised! — to celebrate DD2 taking the bus home solo from camp.

My girls are growing up!

[cathyb]

Yes they are Deco! How great that she made cookie for her sister.

[Xbones]

That's exciting!