monday {menu}

Oh ya... I'm gonna just whip these little sweet nothings up today! Don't you just love pinterest!!!! Check out the recipe {here}.  I've been drooling for sweets lately. Maybe it's a sign I need to workout more!  I'm a big Sunday or Monday baker with my kiddos... {once a week only}. I get them involved and creative in the kitchen. I like to make it fun for them! It's so cute to see them pull up their step stools and jump right in. I've been focusing on teaching Taylor how to read the ingredients and put the exact measurement in the measuring cups. Love seeing her grow... And try so hard to get it perfect! Ryan on the other hand is my wild and silly cook... Loves it but doesn't have the hand control yet. But, Ryan sure knows how to crack eggs! Man, oh man, I'm one proud momma {wink}! Hope you all enjoy this recipe today... Get baking!!!!    

{strawberry & blueberry oatmeal cheesecake cookie bars}

ingredients

cookie base

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp cinnamon

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp baking soda

2 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats

cheesecake filling

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

fruit for topping

3/4 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped

3/4 cup blueberries

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.

4. Add cinnamon, flour, cornstarch and baking soda to a medium sized bowl and combine.

5. With the mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to butter and sugar mixture.

6. Stir in old fashioned oats. Dough will be thick.

7. Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper.

8. Spread just over half of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan.

9. To make the cheesecake filling, beat the cream cheese, sugar and egg together until combined.

10. Melt white chocolate and add to cream cheese mixture. Mix well.

11. Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over oatmeal cookie base.

12. Sprinkle fruit evenly and crumble the remaining cookie dough on top of the cheesecake.

13. Bake for 32-34 minutes. Edges should be lightly browned, center may still be a bit jiggly but will firm as it cools.

14. Allow to cool completely before slicing. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

yum

Alexandra