• This recipe takes brownies to a new level. Creamy cheesecake and the swirls of tart cherry pie filling are sure to satisfy. Perfect for the 4th of July!


  • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (from 1 [12-oz.] pkg.)

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 3/4 cup cherry pie filling (such as Lucky Leaf)



Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch square metal baking pan with cooking spray; line with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add 1 of the eggs and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt; beat until just combined, and set aside. Whisk together flour, cocoa, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until no lumps remain; set aside.

Add butter and chocolate chips to a large microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH in 30-second intervals, whisking after each interval, until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined. Add vanilla and remaining 3 eggs; whisk until combined. Add flour mixture, whisking until no dry streaks remain.

Add batter to prepared baking pan, spreading in an even layer. Gently spread cream cheese mixture over batter; dollop cherry pie filling over cream cheese mixture. Using the tip of a butter knife, swirl cherry pie filling into cream cheese mixture as desired. Bake in preheated oven until cream cheese mixture is lightly browned around edges, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool to room temperature in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.



Recipe credit Southern Living


Enjoy!




Check out...


...Christmas in July

...Fashion

...Beauty

...Home

...Kitchen


Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

July 1, 2025

 



Hello sweet friends!
Here are a few Patriotic decorations for the home. 4th of July is next week, and there is still time to get these delivered to your home.





This bright, colorful wreath brings charm to Independence Day, and it is on sale.





Loving these Patriotic Pups from Valery Madelyn
And they are on sale!



Perfect for home or garden.



I'm thinking this plaque would look great on a shelf. 



Use your creative imagination; this set of patriotic bows can be used for so many things.

That's it for this week, friends.






While You Are Here, Check out...




Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week and Happy Independence Day!



May I leave you with this thought...





This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Patriotic Decor

June 26, 2025

 



Hello Sweet Friends

My picture of the week and Blog Spotlight 

is Ann Voskamp Blog

Ann always has amazing photos and stories. She features soul-searching and encouraging books each week. This picture came from her post "How To Pray, When Prayer Seems Really Confusing."


My inspiration this week.


  • I'm starting off with a Chicken Lombardy recipe from 4 Son's R us. It's a recipe that will soon be on my dinner table.


  • Green thumb... Orchids are so beautiful. Yvonne recently posted a post on How To Grow And Care For Orchid Plants.  She gives one of her tricks on how to display Orchids for a stunning, lush look.


  • What have I purchased lately...These kitchen curtains! For my new kitchen, of course. I ordered two for a fuller look.



Before you go...

Check out

Favorites This Week

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

Have a wonderful week. 



Disclaimer

This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Picture of The Week

June 15, 2025

 



Spring vegetables brighten up this pasta Alfredo. A rich & creamy dish.

Kosher salt
One 9-ounce package fresh fettuccine
Extra-virgin olive oil, for tossing
2 cups shiitake mushrooms (about 4 ounces), stems removed and discarded
1 bunch thin asparagus, about 1 pound
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/2 cup frozen peas
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped chives
Finely grated zest of 1/2 lemon

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until tender but slightly firm. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then strain the pasta and toss with a splash of oil in the colander.

Meanwhile, slice the mushroom caps into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Cut the woody ends off the asparagus and cut into 2-inch lengths. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter melts, raise the heat to medium-high and add the mushrooms in 1 layer. Cook, without moving, until the undersides have browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then stir and cook until golden about 2 minutes more. Add the asparagus, another tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the asparagus is tender and the mushrooms are browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the colander with the pasta.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 5 tablespoons butter. When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and bring to a simmer, then add the peas and cook for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Whisk the Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce. Add the vegetables, cooked pasta, chives and lemon zest and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta will thicken as it cools. To thin it, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time and toss to reach the desired consistency. Serve hot in heated bowls.






Other recipes...


Enjoy

Spring Vegetable Fettuccine Alfredo

June 10, 2025


Hello sweet friends!
Here is what's new... Last-minute gifts for Dad.

These are perfect for Dad or just to have at home.


The dog days of summer are here. How about an oscillating recharging portable fan? I just purchased these; you get two, and they come in three colors. Hubby put one in the bathroom to use after a shower. There is a video to view.

Wireless headphones that doesn't block your surrounding sounds. With high-fidelity audio plus TubeBass technology you'll miss nothing of the tunes, podcasts, and sports broadcasts that keep you moving and motivated. Someone in my family is getting these for Father's Day.
There is a video to view.

The perfect starter toolkit for home repairs, this compact kit contains the most useful tools for basic DIY household repairs, such as picture hanging, box opening, and screw tightening. Comes in two colors.

Your go-to gadget for roadside emergencies, the HALO Bolt jump starter provides portable peace of mind when you need it most. Complete with a detachable power bank and flashlight/floodlight. I purchased this several years ago. It has been handy. 
There is a video to view.

Up your gardening game with the Cyclone thumb control hose nozzle. Easily manage water flow and switch functions with just a flick of your thumb. The nozzle head rotates to offer seven distinct settings, from a gentle mist to a powerful jet, making every task -- from lightly watering delicate flowers to blasting away dirt -- a breeze. Comes in four colors.
There is a video to view




Don't forget to visit my Little Cypress Shop...




While You Are Here, Check out...






Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week.




This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.


Last Minute Gifts for Dad

June 8, 2025

 


Hello Sweet Friends

My picture of the week and Blog Spotlight 

is The Frugal Navy Wife.

This is an older post, but I have always had my eye on this DIY Farmhouse Rag Wreath. If you like the look, you can see Marissa's post here.


My inspiration this week.


  • I learned something new... When is the best time to run your dryer to save money? Click here to find out.

  • Add old keys to concrete. Sounds interesting. To see more ideas, click here.

  • I found this recipe... Mini Cheesecakes in a Muffin Pan, on Sally's Baking Addiction. Top them off with your favorite fresh berries. 

  • What I've bought lately...Nearly Natural Boston Fern, set of 2. Beautiful, and the fronds bend for that natural look. I placed both in an oversized planter for my front porch.

  • What I've had my eyes on...Cordless, rechargeable table lamps. I needed a soft light to place on my patio to create that glow, rather than a bright one. I found a pack of two from Amazon, and I have been pleased with them.


Before you go...

Check out the Little Cypress Shop.

Sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a thing.

And don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

Have a wonderful week. 



Disclaimer

This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Picture of The Week

May 30, 2025


Perfect for a large gathering or cut in half for a family dinner. 


1 (2.25-oz.) package sliced almonds
2 (6.2-oz.) boxes fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix
1/4 cup butter
4 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
5 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 (10 3/4-oz.) cans cream of mushroom soup
2 (8-oz.) cans chopped water chestnuts, drained
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 cups (16 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups soft, fresh breadcrumbs


1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan 4 to 6 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

2. Prepare rice mixes according to package directions.

3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add celery and onions. Sauté 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken, next 6 ingredients, rice, and 3 cups cheese. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 15- x 10-inch baking dish or 2 (11- x 7-inch) baking dishes. Top with breadcrumbs.

4. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese, and top with toasted almonds. Bake 5 minutes.
To Make Ahead: Prepare as directed in Steps 2 and 3. Cover with aluminum foil, and freeze up to 1 month. Remove from freezer, and let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Toast almonds as directed in Step 1. Bake casserole, covered, at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 55 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese and toasted almonds. Bake 5 more minutes.

Shrimp-and-Wild Rice Casserole: Substitute 2 lb. peeled and deveined, medium-size raw shrimp (4 1/50 count) for chicken; 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese for Cheddar cheese; and 1 cup dry white wine for milk.

Cajun Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole: Omit salt and pepper. Reduce chicken to 2 1/2 cups. Prepare as directed, sautéing 1 lb. andouille sausage, chopped, and 1 green bell pepper, diced, with celery in Step 3. Stir 1 (15-oz.) can black-eyed peas, drained, and 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning into rice mixture. Proceed as directed.


This recipe had outstanding reviews. I have shared it with several friends over the years. It came from Southern Living, my fav, November 2011. Enjoy! Cut this recipe in half to make one 11x7 dish.





 

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

May 15, 2025

 


Hello sweet friends! I'm starting off with the number 10. Custom mosaic ceramic house numbers. I've been over on Etsy, and these are a few things I found. Do you have a herb garden? Here are ceramic herb garden markers, set of 4, with a gift bag. The 6 small copper enamel metal butterflies are fascinating to watch. Check out the video below to see them in action. Modernized Pottery has a half-gallon watering can for your indoor plants. Comes in 9 different colors. Loving the look.






Click on the links below to view these items.









Don't forget to visit my Little Cypress Shop...








While You Are Here, Check out...






Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week.
Feeling Blessed


This site contains ad links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you buy something. These are items I would personally purchase myself or have already purchased. Little Cypress Lodge only promotes items that I Love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shop Etsy Garden

May 14, 2025

Follow On Instagram and Pinterest