BABY SHOWER FRUIT TRAY...this is the cutest thing ever!!

Cannoli Cheesecake

Crust
1 1/2 cups (325 mL) graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp (30 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60 mL) butter, melted

Filling
3 tubs (475 g/each) Tre Stelle® Extra Smooth Ricotta Cheese
1 1/2 cups (325 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) all purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 mL) vanilla extract
2 tsp (10 mL) freshly grated orange peel
7 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup (75 mL) miniature chocolate chips
candied orange slices or shelled pistachios for garnish if desiredPreheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC).

Wrap all sides and bottom of a 9” spring form pan securely with a double layer thickness of aluminum foil. Combine all of the crust ingredients together and press evenly across the bottom and 1/2” up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes; allow to cool before filling.

In a large bowl beat Ricotta Cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in flour, vanilla and orange peel. Add beaten eggs one at a time and blend on low speed only until incorporated (do not over mix). Carefully pour into prepared pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Place in a large baking pan and add 1” of hot water to the pan.

Bake for 75 minutes or until centre is almost set. Carefully remove pan from oven and lift out spring form pan and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove aluminum foil; run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen; allow to cool an additional hour and remove side of pan. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with candied oranges or pistachios if desired.

Makes 12 servings.

Anise Cookies

Ingredients:

6 eggs

5 cups of flour

2 cups of confectioners sugar

2 tbs plus 1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 cup butter

4 teaspoons of anise or you can use almond extract

Glaze:

3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup warm milk

1 teaspoon anise or almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Colored sprinkles

Directions:

In mixer, beat eggs on high until light and foamy, then add to large mixing bowl

Then return to mixer and combine flour, sugar and baking powder and mix on low, gradually beat in butter and extract and mixture resembles crumbs.

Then add in beaten eggs to the crumb mixture and Dough should be stiff, if not add a little bit more flour.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Place apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-13 minutes on 350 degrees.

Bottom of cookies will be slightly brown tops will not be browned.

While cookies are cooling, make glaze, using a small bowl combine glaze ingredients except sprinkles.

Dip each cookie in glaze place on parchment paper and top each cookie with colored sprinkles....