Cheese cake

We drove around the city last nite. The magic of Christmas season is appearing all over the city of Toronto with beautifully decorated christmas lights, tiny stars twinking on the homes , trees, shrubs, and front yards. Some houses in the city brings festive season to life with specially decorated outdoor decorations, the enormous wreaths, inflatables, fully lit Christmas trees and ornaments. The simple, plain street in the city of "Pickering" became the grandest and came alive during this holiday season with dazzling display of festive lights. This home always wins Pickering's "best decorated home" award. This year's display included dozens of animated and still holiday icons like toy soldiers, angels, polar bears, snowmen, candy canes, snowflakes and miniature houses.
Here are, couple of pics I got ....

  

Cheese Cake
Ingredients:
Graham cracker crumbs - 2 cups
Corn syrup - 1/4 cup
Butter - 1/4 cup, melted
Light or regular cream cheese - 250 gr , softened
Sugar - 1 cup
Eggs - 2
Milk - 1/2 cup ( adjust)
Corn starch - 2 tbsp
Vanilla essence - few drops

 Ingredients for Frosting:

Cool whip icing - 2 cups
Dr.oetker stabilizer - 1 pouch
Clear fruit glaze - 1 pouch
Fruits - mango, cut in thin slices, rolled up to look like a flower
            kiwi, cut in half circles,
            strawberries, cut in half.

Method:
Pre- heat the oven at 350 deg F.

In a bowl , combine crumbs, butter and corn syrup until blended; press into a prepared pan. bake for about 10 min or set in the fridge for 30 mins to firm up.

In a large bowl, Using the electric mixer or a egg beater, beat cream cheese, sugar until smooth. Add corn starch. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in milk and vanilla.

Pour evenly on the baked crust. Bake for about 30 mins or until the edges are slightly brown.

Let it cool, cover and refrigerate atleast for 2 hrs.

 Method for frosting:

• In a bowl take cool whip, add stabilizer and mix well. Take half of the mixed cool whip and Spread it nice and even on the cake, making about half inch frosting.
• Arrange the fruits on the cake.
• In a small bowl mix the clear glaze as per the directions on the pack. Apply the glaze on top of the fruits.
• Take the remaining cool whip, put in the pastry bag, using the flower nozzle make the design and fill up the empty spots.

Tips for kids: Get the kids to help you in the kitchen. Kids can prepare the crust and pat it into the pan. They can measure the ingredients. They love to arrange the fruits. Talk about the colours, diferent fruits, measuring units etc. Make it a learning experience for them.