It’s hard to believe that Christmas is NEXT WEEK. Have you finished your holiday shopping and decorating yet? What about baking? I know a lot of people look forward to this time of year so they can bake up all their favorite recipes to share with family and friends.
Sadly baking is not my strong point. I might not be a great baker but I’m always happy to give a recipe a try. I love sweet treats.
I wish I could be more “crafty” in the kitchen and think “outside of the box” more often.
I have partnered up with Honey Maid Graham Crackers to try out some delicious holiday recipes using their popular graham crackers.
I grew up on Honey Maid Graham Crackers. My mom always sent them to school with me as a snack. Sometime she’s spread a little peanut butter on them too. Yummy!
Honey Maid Graham Crackers and milk were the snack of choice at my elementary school. My Kindergarten teacher gave them to us every day.
I grew up on Honey Maid Graham Crackers as did my kids. It’s rare not to find a package or two in our pantry. They make a great snack. Did you know that they can also be incorporated into holiday recipes (and year round recipes) too?
Honey Maid sent me a wonderful gift basket and asked me to create something fun with my family.
The gift basket came with a recipe I really wanted to try but my husband and son wouldn’t eat it (they don’t like cheesecake) and my teen daughter would only pick at it (she’s always watching her figure). I wouldn’t trust myself with them. I would gobble them all up myself. LOL!
I thought I would share the recipe with readers because it looks so easy to make and the end result is perfect for the holiday season.
Holiday Cheesecake Presents
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Makes 32 servings
Ingredients:
- 10 Honey Maid Graham Crackers, finely crushed (about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs)
- 1/3 cup of butter, melted
- 3 Tbsp of sugar
- 3 packages (8 ounce each) brick cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 tsp. of Vanilla
- 3 Eggs
- Decorating gels, colored sprinkles
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan. *Line pan with foil before pressing crumb mixture onto bottom of pan (it will make them easier to remove)
- Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended. Add eggs; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.
- Bake 30 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours. Cut into bars. Decorate with gels and sprinkles to resemble presents.
Nutrition Information Per Serving: 150 calories, 10g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 55mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate, 0g dietary fiber, 9g sugars, 2g protein
I wanted to make “Gingerbread Houses” with the Honey Maid Grahams. My kids used to make them in elementary school. They are in high school now so it’s been a long time since we made them.
Back in the day we used small milk cartons as a “base”. Then we used frosting to stick graham crackers around it to form a house. Then we’d use the remaining frosting and assorted candies to decorate it, just as you would with a gingerbread house. My kids LOVED making these.
My “game plan” was to make them again with my kids, but that is easier said than done when it comes to teens. I’m hoping that maybe over the holiday break they will want to make some.
I tried to think “outside” the Honey Maid box (LOL). Since my kids love decorating cookies I thought it would be fun to decorate the grahams. Instead of using frosting I opted for chocolate.
My kids and I melted chocolate in the microwave, taking care not to burn it. Then we dipped, drizzled and spread the chocolate onto squares of Honey Maid Grahams. We each had our own way of adding the chocolate to our grahams.
I offered my family an assortment of topping including marshmallows, sprinkles, nuts, candy canes, colored sugar and more and let them design their own treats. I think they turned out pretty good.
My son had the great idea of popping one of the marshmallow topped graham crackers in the microwave for a few seconds. Ta Da! Instant S’mores!
There are so many wonderful recipes you can use Honey Maid Grahams with. Check out this yummy recipe video for some inspiration.
There is going to be a recipe and prize filled Twitter party on December 16, 2014 at 8:00 PM (EST), just in time for the holiday. To participate please RSVP here – http://www.rolemommy.com/role-mommy-recipes/join-us-for-a-holiday-baking-t.php.
You’ll also need to use the hashtags #ThisIsWholesome and #HoneyMaid in your tweets to be eligible for the prizes. I hope you can join in on the conversation (and win great prizes too!).
For more information about Honey Maid products visit www.HoneyMaid.com. You can also find the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to check out the recipe section too for more great recipes.
How do YOU and your family enjoy Honey Maid Graham Crackers? Do you use them in your recipes? Do you enjoy them as a snack? Feel free to share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*I received a free gift basket in exchange for my participation. Although compensated the opinions expressed are entirely my own and not influenced in any way.
Yona Williams says
That holiday cheesecake recipe looks really tasty! I haven’t made a gingerbread house in forever – gotta soon.
vickie couturier says
wow,those look so good,we love their graham crackers,,ive seen a lot of houses this year made out of graham crackers,,look and tase good