Thursday, June 2, 2011

Eating for Two: Turtle Cheese Ball and Grape Salad


No, I'm not eating for two. Well, I'm eating enough for two but that's another story. Actually, my co-worker, Jenifer, is pregnant with her first child and we hosted a baby shower for her. There were tons of gifts and she's set for the first couple of months after the baby's arrival. However, I can't tell you much about what she received because I spent most of the shower hovering around the food: setting it out, replenishing it, explaining to people how to eat certain foods as if they had never seen a cheese ball and crackers. But, that's just the way I am. I call myself "helping". I've dragged myself away from the grazing long enough to share not one, but TWO recipes with you. You may eat them any way you feel is appropriate...


Turtle Cheese Ball

1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup cup toffee chips
1 cup mini chocolate chips
Chopped pecans for garnish, optional
Graham crackers, apple slices for dipping

Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Stir in the toffee chips and mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate for a half hour or so. After the mixture has started to firm up a little, lay some plastic wrap in a small bowl and spoon the mixture into the bowl using the wrap to help form a ball. Refrigerate overnight, remove the plastic wrap, and flip the cheese ball over onto your serving bowl or plate. Press the chopped pecans into the cheese ball. Serve with graham crackers or apple slices.

I served my cheese ball with chocolate teddy grahams and regular honey graham crackers. Yummy!


I didn't make this but thought it was cute so I needed to share it with you. My friend, Stacy, made this watermelon baby carriage. Love the sleeping baby with his Life Savers pacifier! They're so cute at that age.


So, I've got a bonus recipe for you here from my buddy, Deborah. This was my first experience with grape salad and I ate a lot. A lot... and grabbed the leftovers, too. I can't wait to make it myself. But, since Deborah seems to be so good at it, maybe I don't have to.

Grape Salad

8oz. cream cheese, softened
8 oz. sour cream
½ cup granulated sugar
2 lbs. seedless grapes (red, green, or combination)
2 tbsp. margarine
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 ½ cups chopped pecans

Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar. Carefully stir in grapes. Set aside. Melt the margarine in the microwave and stir in the brown sugar. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the grapes. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Just before serving, carefully stir the mixture together.

This coursage gives new meaning to baby booties...

The End...

Somebody stop me...please...

Share your dessert recipes on this week's Sweet Indulgences Sunday.


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3 comments:

  1. Oh my !! too cute and the turtle cheese ball looks SINFUL!

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  2. That cheeseball sounds incredible. Toffee Bits - Yum!

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  3. I am very curious to try that grape salad and that watermelon baby carriage is just adorable. I'm following you now and I wanted to invite you to come over and share your recipe at These Chicks Cooked Recipe Spotlight today. Have a great day :)
    Katie

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