A delectable dessert for sweetie on Valentine's Day

Photo provided

Family Features - If you're going above and beyond a stuffed animal and boxed chocolates this Valentine's Day, try these Cheesecake Cookie Cups for a special homemade dessert. Made with love, it's a perfect combination of sweet and creamy. Visit Culinary.net for more sweet treats to share with loved ones.

Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"

Yield: 12 cups What you will need:

2 packages (16 ounces each) chocolate chip cookie dough

Whipping Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream
crumbled cookies, for topping (optional)
sprinkles, for topping (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.

In muffin tin, press three pieces of cookie dough into each muffin hole. Bake 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes then use shot glass and press into each hole. Let cool another 5 minutes and place on rack to cool completely.

With hand mixer, mix heavy cream and sugar until it thickens then add cream cheese and powdered sugar; cream together. Spoon into cool cookie cups.

If desired, use piping bag and pipe pretty edge around cup. Top with crumbled cookies or sprinkles, if desired.

This might also interest you:

6 travel tips for a safe holiday season

Photo provided

BRANDPOINT - Traveling for the holidays? Whether you're having a Friendsgiving with pals or going to grandma's house for Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, you'll find the roads jam packed. According to a survey by GasBuddy, 72% of Americans plan to drive to their holiday destination, up from 41% in 2023. Stormy and snowy weather conditions won't help matters.

Here are some tips to help you arrive at your holiday destination safely from State Farm.

Before you go, make sure your car is in tip top shape so you get to your destination and home again safely.

Be prepared: transform your trunk for holiday travel. Is your trunk filled with your kids' sports equipment, your gym bag and miscellaneous items you found at a garage sale? State Farm recommends clearing all of that out and packing items you'll need if you get stranded, like hats, gloves, warm socks and blankets for everyone in the car.

Also include water, flashlights and high-calorie snacks like trail mix. Don't forget phone chargers, jumper cables, a shovel and ice scraper, a tarp, snow brushes and a bag of sand or cat litter to give your tires some traction if you need to get out of an icy mess.

Be mindful of distractions

Texting while driving is the top culprit in distracted driving, according to a survey from State Farm. But that's not the only one. Grooming, checking maps, interacting with kids in the back seat, eating or even rubbernecking at an accident can cause an accident of your own. Also, be alert for wildlife and pedestrians.

Car maintenance is key

Oil changed and tires winter ready? Check! Lights all functioning and fluids topped off? Check! How about the wipers? What about your battery life? Before you go, make sure your car is in tip top shape so you get to your destination and home again safely. Even pop an extra jug of windshield washing fluid into your trunk, just in case.

Check the weather ahead

Monitor the weather along your route to know what you're driving into. You can arrange to stop in a hotel if necessary or delay your trip. The last thing you want is to be on the road in dangerous driving conditions.

Plan your route

Hop on your favorite mapping app and plan the best route for your trip, including stops for meals or overnights in a hotel. Many apps revise your route based on traffic patterns and accidents on the road ahead, so keep it on for any changes.

Fight fatigue

If you're driving a long distance, plan to take breaks every few hours or 100 miles to refuel, get out of the car, stretch and walk around for a bit. You don't want to nod off while driving.

Following these tips can help you feel confident setting out on your holiday journeys. Arriving safely to spend time with family and friends is what it's all about.

Related articles:

Turn up the heat and flavor for the big game with tasty BBQ

StatePoint - Hosting a Big Game watch party? By following the playbook of BBQ experts, you’ll have your friends and family cheering for your game day spread.

“The trick to achieving tasty BBQ is real smoke flavor. And, to get real smoke flavor, you need quality, natural hardwoods, with or without a pellet grill,” says Levi Strayer of Bear Mountain BBQ, “Start grilling with pellets, and everyone will immediately taste the difference—it’s a game changer.”

With that philosophy in mind, Bear Mountain BBQ ambassador Jennifer Danella is sharing two BBQ winning recipes. Both incorporate the brand’s premium pellets to bring unbeatable flavor to the table.

Jennifer Danella/StatePoint Media

Sweet Heat Barbeque Wild Turkey Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless, skinless turkey or chicken breast, approximately 2 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon loosely-packed light brown sugar

• 1 package center-cut bacon, cut in half

• Sliced green onions

• Ranch dressing

• Chef’s Choice or Butcher’s Blend Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets

• 1/2 cup sweet barbecue sauce

• 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

Directions:

1. Preheat grill to 400 degrees F.

2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place 1-inch turkey pieces into a medium size bowl. Sprinkle chili powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic salt, black pepper and brown sugar over top. Mix well.

4. Wrap half a slice of bacon around each turkey piece. Secure with a toothpick and place them onto the parchment paper.

5. Place the baking sheet into your preheated grill and bake for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce and garlic in a small bowl. Brush the turkey pieces halfway through cooking. Brush another layer of sauce five minutes before the cook time is over. Cook until the turkey pieces reach 165 degrees F.

6. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Beer Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese grated

• 1/2 cup gruyere cheese grated

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1/2 of a 1-ounce Hidden Valley Ranch Packet

• 2 tablespoons green onions chopped.

• 1/4 cup German lager beer

• 2 tablespoons baking soda

• 1 can biscuits

• 1 large egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water, for brushing biscuits

• 12-inch cast iron skillet

• Bear Mountain BBQ’s Chef’s Choice Blend pellets

Directions:

1. Preheat pellet grill to 350 degrees F.

2. In large bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar, gruyere, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, beer and 1 tablespoon green onions. Mix evenly.

3. Cut biscuits in half. Roll each half into a ball, then slice an X across top.

4. Boil 2 cups water in medium saucepan. Once boiling, add baking soda and mix immediately.

5. Add biscuits to grill in batches and cook until puffy, approximately 1 minute. Remove and transfer to skillet, forming ring along inside edge.

6. Brush biscuits with egg wash. Sprinkle with salt.

7. Transfer dip to center of skillet. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar.

8. Smoke until biscuits are golden and dip is bubbly, 30-35 minutes.

9. Garnish with remaining green onions. Serve!

As you make your Game Day preparations, head to Walmart, which is carrying a new collection of Bear Mountain’s grilling and smoking pellets. The five exclusive flavors -- Smoky Apple Whiskey, Maple Bourbon Pecan, Chef’s Choice, Butcher’s Blend and Chophouse Blend -- add unrivaled flavor to all grilling and smoking occasions. The collection can also be found online at Walmart.com. For recipe ideas and techniques for adding smoke flavor to your food using any grill, visit bearmountainbbq.com.

To bring your A-game to the Big Game, level up your hosting with mouthwatering BBQ treats.

For a quickie dessert this week, make a batch of Whoopie Pies

Family Feature - If you’re looking for an easy dessert to make this week, this Whoopie Pie recipe below is the perfect way to cap off weeknight meals. These won't last long, so you will probably want to make a couple of batches at a time. Whoopie Pies are also an awesome midday snack with a cup of hot chocolate or afternoon cup of coffee.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

1 box spice cake mix

1 1/2 cups apple butter

1/2 cup canola oil

2 eggs

8 ounces cream cheese

4 tablespoons butter

3 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

How to put them together

Heat oven to 350 F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In large bowl, whisk spice cake mix, apple butter, oil and eggs.

With ice cream scoop or large tablespoon, spoon batter into rounded heaps, about 2-3 inches in diameter, onto parchment paper. Space spooned batter 2 inches apart.

Bake 14 minutes. Let cool.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla; beat until blended.

Frost flat sides of pie halves and place halves together.

Refrigerate and store in sealed container.

A healthy snack option, try Apple Nachos this week

No matter how busy your schedule gets, it’s important to take time to nurture your physical and mental health and well-being. With busy work, school and sports schedules underway, it is good ...

Gimme S’mores Trail Mix

School days offer nearly endless opportunities for learning and exploration in the classroom, but education doesn’t have to end with the final bell. Parents can ensure their students feel ...

Quick and convenient afternoon snack ideas for hungry kids

StatePoint Media - Between classroom learning, extracurricular activities, sports, socializing and more, fun and filling snacks can help kids take a moment away from school-year pressures while also encouraging all that excitement and learning.

In fact, nearly 3 in 4 Americans snack at least once a day, according to an International Food Information Council survey conducted by Ipsos. When it comes to your children’s snack time, here’s how to make these occasions more delicious:

Easy Sweet Treats

Weekdays are not only hectic for kids, but are also busy for parents too. Having conveniently packaged snacks on hand can be a time-saving game-changer!

Photo provided

Serving your kids baked goods made from high-quality ingredients can be as simple as opening a box of Entenmann’s. With 125 years of baking experience, the brand’s wide variety of delicious baked goods can be a fun addition to any breakfast, lunch box and can even be enjoyed as an after-school treat!

Be sure to add these favorites to your snack line-up: Powdered Pop’ettes, Pop’ems Glazed Donut Holes and Baker’s Delights Mini Crumb Cake. Baker’s Delights are individually wrapped snack cakes that are a fun option for on-the-go snacking or a sweet addition to any lunch box. Want to get creative? Check out Entenmann’s recipe collection, found at entenmanns.com, which puts new twists on classic treats.

Savory Snacks

Balance the sweet with some savory snacks too. For after school, stock your fridge with items like baby carrots and hummus, crackers and cheese, and the ingredients needed for hearty snacks like ham and cheese pinwheels. Having these items handy can make it easy to feed hungry kids and allow them to serve themselves. Plus, they’ll be all set for their afternoon, whether that entails homework or hanging out with friends. For on-the-go bites to pack in lunch boxes or to bring to sports games, consider sandwich baggies filled with nuts, pretzel sticks and cheddar cheese slices.

Amid the stress and anxiety of the school year, sweet treats and savory snacks can help keep your kids satisfied, while also providing a moment away from the demands of school.

How to make great Kielbasa and veggie kebabs

Concoct a winning game plan, gather the parking lot games and call the biggest fans you know – it’s tailgating season. This year, before you root on your favorite team, make sure your pregame party matches the intensity of the fourth quarter with recipes that really fire up the crowd.

Warm up with Beet Lentil Chili

With plenty of cold-weather events and gatherings to celebrate alongside loved ones, one classic way to warm up the crowd is hot, comforting food. Soups, chili, casseroles, stews and more provide perfect ways to shake off the chill that comes with the season.

In the Know | Recent articles you might have missed

Illinois tennis team suffers first conference loss, Illini fall 4-0 to #2 OSU

Illinois' Mathis Debru celebrates after he and doubles partner Oliver Okonkwo tie up their match at 4-all. The duo fell 6-4 to Ohio State's Robert Cash and Justin Boulais. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - One would have thought the steady 20mph breeze at Shahid & Ann Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex would have been ideal conditions for Illinois to upset #2 Ohio State (19-2) on Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, the 70º day, blessed with plenty of sunshine, did not fair well for the Fighting Illini (13-8), who lost the home match 4-0 to Buckeyes in their second Big Ten match of the season.

The key to OSU's victory and Illinois' demise was the basic 'brains over brawn' approach.

Gimme S’mores Trail Mix

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6

1/2 cup Sun-Maid Vanilla Yogurt Covered Raisins
3 cups graham crackers, assorted flavors
1 1/2 cups colored mini marshmallows
2 cups slivered almonds
1 cup chocolate chips

In large bowl, mix raisins, graham crackers, marshmallows, almonds and chocolate chips.
Serve immediately, or store in airtight container up to 1 week.

Delicious apple nachos

Photo provided

Apple Nachos

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 minute
Servings: 4

5 sweet apples, such as Honeycrisp
lemon juice (optional)
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup Sun-Maid California Sun-Dried Raisins

Wash and slice apples.
Arrange one layer of sliced apples on serving plate. To keep apples from browning quickly, squeeze lemon juice on top, if desired.
In microwave, melt peanut butter about 30 seconds until smooth.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon peanut butter over first layer of apples. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup raisins.
Repeat with remaining apples, peanut butter and raisins.

SOURCE:
Sun-Maid Raisins

Recipe: A heaping serving of homework motivation

Family Features -- Heading back to school doesn't have to mean forgetting the fun of warm weather treats. Once the homework is done and you've enjoyed dinner with loved ones, turn your attention to a dessert that tastes like it was prepared by a professional baker.

This S'mores Skillet starts with a sweet brownie base made with Domino Light Brown Sugar and is then infused and topped with traditional s'mores ingredients. Just combine in a skillet then bake - or grill for that familiar outdoor feel - until warm and gooey.

The next time you invite friends over to celebrate after a home football or volleyball game victory, try this easy-to-make recipe that will light up any party with ear-to-ear grins.

Find more dessert ideas to sweeten up the back-to-school season and postgame celebrations at DominoSugar.com.

S'mores Skillet

Prep time: 30 minutes / Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Domino Light Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup mini marshmallows, divided
6 graham crackers, roughly crumbled, divided

Step-by-step

Preheat oven or grill to 350 F.

Place medium heat-proof bowl over medium saucepan simmering with water. Add butter, 1/4 cup chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate; melt. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool 15 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt.

In large bowl, mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in flour mixture. Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and three graham crackers to batter.

Pour mixture into 8-inch skillet. Top with remaining mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham crackers. Grill or bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool 10 minutes and serve.

Get things poppin' with this Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn treat

What can we say? This looks absolutely delicious.

Sure, a bowl of popcorn with lots of salt and butter is great, but let's be real. You gotta mix it up once in a while and this Cranberry-Orage Carmel Corn is a pretty doggone tasty convergence of Carmel corn, nuts, and cranberries.

This recipe, courtesy of the Popcorn Board, is merely the base. You could substitute walnuts or peanuts in place of the almonds or use all three. Another idea: Dried apricots, apples, or raisins can be used in place of cranberries. Let your kitchen creativity flow and come up with your own signature family movie night snack.

This recipe makes a great personalized gift item, too. Fill a glass canning jar with a batch and wrap with a ribbon. Give as a simple, tasty gift to a fellow employee, your child's favorite teacher, or a gift for graduating players on senior night.

Plain or carmelized, this popcorn treat will last a week or so in an airtight container. If your home is anything like mine, I doubt it will last long.

Cranberry-Orange Caramel Corn

Photo courtesy of the Popcorn Board

Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn

Time: Figure about an hour total for start to finish
Makes: 10 cups

Ingredients

10 cups popped popcorn

1 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup whole almonds

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 packed brown sugar

1/4 cup corn syrup

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted

1 teaspoon orange or vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Go ahead and preheat the oven between 250 - 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the oven is warming up pop popcorn and remove all the seeds. Put in a large bowl with cranberries and almonds; set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and orange juice concentrate over medium heat until butter is melted.

Bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in extract and baking soda (mixture will foam).

Pour syrup mixture over popcorn mixture in bowl; stir to coat well. Spread evenly in a large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick spray.

Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Stir caramel corn as it cools on baking sheet or a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil.

Store in an airtight container.

Did you make a batch? Send us your photos and we'll feature them below.

Bringing a little heat, delicious Jalapeño-Bacon popcorn

Photo: Popcorn Board

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn, hot

4 slices bacon, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Heat skillet over medium-low heat; cook bacon for 5 to 8 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Wipe pan with paper towel.
Add butter, jalapeños and salt to pan; cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 inutes or until jalapeños are very tender.
In large bowl, toss together hot popped popcorn, bacon, jalapeños, and Parmesan, if using.

Tips:

Substitute butter with olive oil or a small amount of the bacon fat
Omit 1 jalapeño pepper for less spice.

Grapes are a smart choice, three recipes to eat your way to better health

(Family Features) - The importance of health and wellness is top of mind for many people. There are many contributing factors to wellness such as diet, physical activity, social engagement and genetics. All are important, but a first step to wellness is choosing healthy foods to fuel the body every day, ideally foods that support health in multiple ways.

Consider grapes from California: they are convenient, healthy, hydrating and provide energy to help support healthy and active lifestyles. Eating grapes is also linked to beneficial impacts on the health of specific body parts and systems, including the heart, brain, skin and colon.

Most of grapes’ health benefits are attributed to the presence of natural plant compounds known as polyphenols, which help promote antioxidant activity and influence biological processes that support overall health. Grapes of all colors – red, green and black – are natural sources of polyphenols.

Fresh California grapes are refreshing by the handful, but they also lend a tasty burst of flavor to a wide range of recipes you can enjoy any time of day. This Heart Smart Smoothie is a deliciously healthy way to start the day; pairing grapes with nuts and seeds in No-Bake Energy Bites delivers a hearty snack to enjoy midday, after school or following a workout; and Quinoa, Cauliflower and Grape Salad is perfect at any mealtime for a powerful combo of both taste and health.

Grapes and a Healthy Brain

Research suggests regularly eating grapes as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle may contribute to improved health outcomes, including brain health.

In a study of people with early memory decline published in “Experimental Gerontology,” subjects were either fed whole grape powder equivalent to just 2 1/4 cups of grapes per day or a placebo powder. The results showed consuming grapes preserved healthy metabolic activity in regions of the brain associated with early Alzheimer’s disease, where metabolic decline takes hold.

Subjects who didn’t consume grapes exhibited significant metabolic decline in these critical regions. Additionally, those consuming the grape-enriched diet showed beneficial changes in regional brain metabolism that correlated to improvements in attention and working memory performance.

Find more nutritious recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com .

No-Bake Energy Bites

Prep time: 20 minutes
Yield: 8 energy bites

1/3 cup raw almonds
1/3 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pitted dates
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange juice or lemon juice
1 pinch sea salt
8 seedless California grapes
1/3 cup chia or hemp seeds

In bowl of food processor, pulse almonds and walnuts 5-6 times to coarsely chop. Add dates and process until mixture is finely chopped. Add juice and process until just combined; transfer mixture to small plate.
Dry grapes. Pack 1 tablespoon date mixture around each grape, completely covering to seal. Repeat with remaining grapes and date mixture.
Roll balls in seeds to coat. Store in covered container in refrigerator up to three days.

Nutritional information per energy bite: 120 calories; 3 g protein; 12 g carbohydrates; 7 g fat (53% calories from fat); 0.5 g saturated fat (4% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 20 mg sodium; 3 g fiber.

Heart Smart Grape and Peanut Butter Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

1 cup red California grapes, chilled
2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk, chilled
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/2 small banana
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
2 teaspoons cacao powder

In blender on high speed, blend grapes, almond milk, ice, banana, peanut butter, flax seed and cacao powder until smooth.

Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 8 g protein; 53 g carbohydrates; 14 g fat (36% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (6% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 220 mg sodium; 7 g fiber.

Quinoa, Cauliflower and Grape Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

1 cup white quinoa
1 small head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets
1 1/4 cups red California grapes, halved
3 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 ripe avocados, diced 1/3 inch

Dressing:

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook quinoa according to package directions and drain on two layers of paper towels. Transfer to mixing bowl. Add cauliflower, grapes, scallions and avocado pieces.
To make dressing: In small bowl, whisk vinegar, lime juice, honey, cumin, oregano and salt until blended. Gradually whisk in oil. Drizzle dressing over quinoa mixture and toss gently. Season with pepper, to taste.

Nutritional information per serving: 260 calories; 5 g protein; 27 g carbo hydrates; 16 g fat (55% calories from fat); 2 g saturated fat (7% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 170 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.

A delectable dessert for sweetie on Valentine's Day

6 travel tips for a safe holiday season

Turn up the heat and flavor for the big game with tasty BBQ

Sweet Heat Barbeque Wild Turkey Bites

Beer Cheese Dip

For a quickie dessert this week, make a batch of Whoopie Pies

Related articles:

Quick and convenient afternoon snack ideas for hungry kids

Related articles:

In the Know | Recent articles you might have missed

Two healthy snack options for families on the go

Gimme S’mores Trail Mix

Apple Nachos

Recipe: A heaping serving of homework motivation

S'mores Skillet

Step-by-step

Get things poppin' with this Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn treat

Cranberry-Orange Carmel Corn

Ingredients

Directions

Bringing a little heat, delicious Jalapeño-Bacon popcorn

Ingredients

Directions

Tips:

Grapes are a smart choice, three recipes to eat your way to better health

No-Bake Energy Bites

Heart Smart Grape and Peanut Butter Smoothie

Quinoa, Cauliflower and Grape Salad

More Sentinel Stories

Photo Galleries

From our archives

Search the Sentinel

Top stories this year