Recipes: Oh, Canada!

2) For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined. Press into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared pan. Place in the freezer until ready to use.

3) For the cheesecake filling, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Add the flour, mixing until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, add in vanilla extract and melted white chocolate. Pour filling into prepared crust and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 250ºF and continue to bake 45 minutes more. The cheesecake is ready when the edges begin to brown slightly and the center is slightly wiggly. It will firm as it cools. Remove from the oven and run a sharp knife around the edge to loosen it from the pan. Cool cheesecake completely then refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

4) Before serving, spoon cherry filling over cheesecake and drizzle with white chocolate.

Serves 10-12

Directions
In a blender, combine ice cream, cherry pie filling and graham cracker crumbs. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall milkshake glass and garnish with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.

Serves 2

Directions
In a cocktail shaker, combine cherry vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, a dash of grenadine syrup and ice cubes. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry and serve.

Serves 1

Directions
1) In a small saucepan, mash strawberries, sugar and water together over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard solids. Cool completely.

2) For the martini, in a cocktail shaker filled half with ice combine vanilla vodka, crème de cacao and strawberry puree. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Serves 1

2) In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream sugar and butter on medium speed, until light and fluffy. Beat in egg whites a little at a time. Mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the mixer, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool cakes completely before frosting.

3) For the frosting, in an electric mixer, beat butter, icing sugar, salt, milk and vanilla extract on low speed to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue to beat on medium speed, until it’s a smooth and creamy consistency.

4) To assemble the cake, slice each cake layer in half to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer on a serving plate and spread with 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam. Spread ½ cup frosting over the jam and arrange ¾ cup sliced strawberries in a single layer over frosting. Top with the second layer and repeat with the 2 tablespoons of jam, ½ cup of frosting and ¾ cup sliced strawberries. Top with the third cake layer and again repeat with the jam, frosting and sliced strawberries. Top with final cake layer and spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Coat the top and sides with the shredded coconut to garnish the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 10-12

Directions
Using a blender, combine ice cream, vanilla pudding powder, strawberries and milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall milkshake glass and garnish with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry.

Serves 1

2) For the meringues, place the egg whites and salt in a clean, dry bowl of an electric mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whip on medium speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to high and gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, mixing until stiff peaks form. In a small bowl, combine 1/4-cup sugar with cornstarch. Lightly fold cornstarch mixture and vinegar into egg whites. Using a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle, pipe and fill in over pre-drawn circles, continuing to pipe 3-4 rings on top of each other around the rim to form a nest. Bake for 30 minutes, turn off oven and let cool for 2 hours in closed oven.

3) For the raspberry filling, in a medium saucepan, combine raspberries, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water. Heat on medium-high, stirring frequently for 5 minutes until mixture is lightly boiling and berries are breaking down. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, cornstarch and salt. Temper the egg yolk mixture by quickly whisking in a few tablespoons of the hot raspberry mixture. While continually whisking, transfer warmed egg mixture to saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Press raspberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer and discard any solids. Return raspberry filling back to saucepan over low heat. Add butter, whisking 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and refrigerate until ready to use, cooling completely.

4) When ready to serve, fill meringue nests with raspberry filling, top with a heaping spoon of Cool Whip Dessert Topping and drizzle raspberry jam to finish.

Serves 6