Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Pineapple Coconut Squares, Rolo Cookies, Cherry Tartlets and a Dip

When I visit your blogs or recipe sites, it is without fail I find something new, different, delicious, and with each delicious discovery, I promise myself, I am going to make this. My collection grows everyday, but it's the rare opportunity that presents itself where I can have a cookathon. So when my employer announced a department meeting, I immediately seized the opportunity to make several different recipes and offered to bring treats.

On the left, are Rolo Cookies. Love chocolate cookies? Love Rolo candies? Then I encourage you to try these. There's a surprise, melty, chocolately, caramely surprise in the center of each cookie. These were a huge hit with my co-workers.

I was up at 4 o'clock this morning putting together, a sweet discovery, Pineapple Coconut Squares, Yummm...the house smelled like a tropical paradise while these were baking. None of these came home with me. I found this keeper recipe on Trish's blog, The Mad Chemist. All of Trish's recipes are mouth-watering good! She's a diversified and talented cook and a gifted writer as well. When you visit her site, it's as if you've been invited to sit with her in her kitchen.

This little tartlet-cheesecake recipe has been around a long time; I made these back when I was first learning how to cook. They were well received then, and times haven't changed. People who love cheesecake, love these. And boy are they ever easy and quick to make! I used a Paula Deen recipe, but I charge it up by adding a couple of good swipes of fresh lemon with my microplane. Believe me, it makes all the difference. I made these in the tinfoil cupcake holders (the kind that don't need to be put in a muffin cup first) and was able to make 24 little tarts. They are a showstopper.

Now the last thing I made I'm rather embarrassed to mention, but it's so tasty and simple that I want to share it with you. It has to be the simplest fruit dip. Two ingredients. Two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened, and a jar of marshmallow fluff. Put both ingredients in a bowl, stir until well combined. That's it. Soooo good and so easy. I found a couple of inexpensive red, star-shaped bowls at Wal-Mart. Put the dip in one and my beautiful, ruby red strawberries in the other.

Just a yummy day from beginning to end!

30 comments:

  1. Everyone of these is a keeper Katy!! Those cookies are going to be made, I love choclate and caramel!! Yes those little cheesecakes have been around along time, and there's a reason for that...they're good! The cocconut pineapple squares look delicious!! My kids will love the fruit dip, easy is good Katy!! LOL!! You were up at 4am baking, you're a better woman than I 'am sweetie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh! I want one of those little Cherry Tartlets!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These all look and sound yummy Katy - I wish I worked there too so I could taste some :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love everything you made!! I bet it did smell like paradise :) And I want a rolo cookie. Pronto!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Katy- Each one of these looks wonderful. ESPECIALLY the pineapple coconut squares.. Delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are wonderful goodies, Katy! Your co-workers were so impressed, I'm sure, that you got up at 4 to make these treats for them!I want a couple of each kind!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yummy, yum, yum. What lovely treats you made. The pineapple coconut goodies I think would be my choice, but then maybe I should have one of each just to be fair -- LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look really wonderful. I can't believe - yes I can - you were up at that hour making goodies for work. You are good people.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I live for cookathons! How fun, adn a rather successful one at that! I'll take one of each!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Everything looks great, but man do I want one of those pineapple coconut bars! YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have outdone yourself today...three great treats in ONE post? WOW.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Put on the coffee I am coming over. I love rolos they are my favorite. Good job Katy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What wonderful looking treats!!! I'm a sucker for anything cheesecake related...I can't wait to try out that recipe! My husband, on the otherhand, LOVES pineapple and I bet he'd go crazy for your pineapple coconut squares!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Katy...you are far too kind! Your words are as sweet as you are in treating your colleagues in such a special way!What a great Department meeting you must have had and how grateful your colleagues must be for those meetings, eh? (okay...just a little Canadian expression there!) We are kindred spirits we are...in more ways than one...but getting up early to bake for the office...you are wayyyy too much girl!

    Thanks again for the kind words..glad to share recipes between friends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great choices! Rolo cookies are one of my favorites. I'll have to give the pineapple ones a try.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow Katy! You are something. Wish I worked with you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Katy what amazing collection of goodies you've got here!! Those pineapple coconut bars are screaming to me... now I wish I could reach in & try one, and then everything else ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Delicious sweet treats! The Cherry Tartlets look absolutely scrumptious, would so love one of those right now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Those cookies all look so delicious! I just have to try the coconut pineapple squares! I do the same thing you mentioned. I visit blogs and then want to make the recipes I see!!! I will plan on making something and then see something else I like at another blog and then want to make that. And it goes on and on.....

    ReplyDelete
  20. They all sound so good! I love the little cheesecakes, they would be perfect to christen my new mini-muffin pan.

    ReplyDelete
  21. So much yummy-ness is one post! They all sound amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh I do so love the Rolo cookies. I first found the recipe when we were putting together a cookbook as a fundraiser for my son's marching band. They are yummy!! I'm also a big fan of the marshmallow dip for fruit. I think we could be good friends :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is a wonderful collection of treats! I'm especially interested in the coconut pineapple squares. I've never heard of anything like them, but they sound delicious. I imagine your coworkers light up when they see you bringing food into work.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rolos are my favorite! I am so trying these cookies. Thanks for the great recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful and delectable treats Katy!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the red tarts and red strawberries against the green in your china!

    The fruit dip is addictive. I will plow through the fruit and just start dipping the spoon in it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Linda, as I was having a dip slathered strawberry yesterday, it struck me that the dip would make a PERFECT filling for filled strawberries. It has terrific body, doesn't wilt like whipped cream, and is has a wonderful slightly tart (cream cheese) sweet flavor.

    ReplyDelete
  28. These are good recipes that you recommended Katy..you've got that right about Trish..she is one awesome cook and baker! I would like to sit in her kitchen as she scurries to and fro..to see if she really is the 'mad chemist'..grin

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mmmm, rolos are our favorite!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.