Berry Cheesecake Parfaits

I will put a picture up as soon as I find my camera :) This is a delicious and easy way to use up some of those raspberries!

• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 2 cups fresh raspberries or other berries
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (8 squares)

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Stir in yogurt. In parfait glasses or bowls, alternate layers of raspberries, cream cheese mixture and cracker crumbs. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Yield: 4 servings.

Raspberry Bread

Another great recipe from my friend Julie. Yay for raspberry season!
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups raspberries (fresh or thawed)
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts*
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325. Beat eggs until light and foamy. Add oil, sugar, raspberries and vanilla. Mix lightly but well. Sift together and then add flour, salt, soda, cinnamon and baking powder. Add nuts and mix gently. Pour into two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour.

*Walnuts optional
** Glazing the loaves with icing makes it extra tasty!

Chewy Granola Bars

I used to make these years ago. Totally forgot about the recipe until a friend reminded me and I'm glad she did. These are super easy and so yummy! Would be a great addition to packed lunch and I made these to go camping last week.
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 cup margarine, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup coconut
- 1/2 cup raisins*
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds**
- 1/3 cup wheat germ
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 3 cups oatmeal
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, blend sugar, peanut butter, syrup and melted margarine. Once mixture is blended add vanilla. Stir in coconut, raisins, sesame seeds, wheat germ, chocolate chips, oatmeal and sunflower seeds. Mix until ingredients are blended. Press mixture into a 9 x 13 in pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

* I leave the raisins out as we're not raisin lovers around here. (Craisins are a delicious additon, unless you ask my five year old). ;)
** Also left the sesame seeds out as I didn't have them on hand.