Kevin's Cheesecakes

I think we can make it official. Kevin has now perfected the cheesecake. He is developing an average of one new recipe every two weeks. I'm really not joking. If you have a special flavor that you would like, you just need to call him up and discuss it. His latest creation is packed full of dried fruits and called Tahitian Dream. He also carried the idea over to his chess bars, creating a new variety that are arguable better the his already delicious, original chess bar.

Here's a very good sugar cookie recipe that we've adapted.

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


1. Beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl on low speed of electric mixer just util well blended. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; add t butter mixture, stirring until blended.

2. Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to handle. Heat oven to 400 degrees. On lightly floured surface, roll each half of the dough to about 1/4" thick.

3. Cut into shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Decorate with sprinkles or coarse sugar, or leave plain to frost after cooking.

4. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

This recipe will make about 3 dozen 2" cookies.