I’ve made quite a few cheesecakes over the years but I have to wait for a big family occasion because I can’t have a huge cheesecake sitting in the fridge in case I attempt to eat it all!

Everyone has a preference on their perfect cheesecake.  Some like it dense and cheesy and some like it baked but I like mine light and fluffy without gelatine.

Ingredients:

250g Digestive Biscuits
80g Melted Butter
500g Mascarpone Cheese
150g Icing Sugar
250ml Fresh Double Cream
Carnation Caramel Can
4 – 6 Twix Fingers
50g Chocolate for melting

Method:

First you need to grease the bottom and a little of the side of your springform tin so the base doesn’t stick.  I used a deep 9 inch round but obviously you can use smaller and just reduce the ingredients slightly.

Then you need to bash up those biscuits or pop them in a food processor to turn them into fine crumbs.  Melt the butter and add it to the biscuits, mix well and press firmly into the prepared tin and then pop it in the fridge while you’re doing the rest.

Whisk up the double cream but don’t allow it to go really thick (like I’ve done before), just make sure it has a nice bit of air in it and it's increased in volume.

Then you need to beat the cream cheese and add the sieved icing sugar.  Mix until it’s a bit lighter and then gently fold in the cream.

To make it more ‘Twixy’ I bought a can of Carnation caramel and poured that onto the base before gently spreading the cream cheese mix over the top.

Put it in the fridge overnight and leave the decorating until the last minute.  I chopped up about 6 mini twix’s and dotted them around the top and then I melted the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second bursts, put it on a piping bag and made a criss cross pattern on top.

Then for a final touch, (just to annoy my husband really) I sprinkled edible glitter on top and 'et viola' sheer cheesecake heaven!

Now that I’ve messed around with several recipes and tweaked the ingredients to how I like them I’ll use this as a base to try other variations in the future.  I’m thinking options could be Forerro Rocher with a layer of Nutella, or Baileys with curled chocolate on top, Kit Kat, Caramac, Milky Bar, Mars or even an Eton Mess with chunks of meringue and fresh strawberries on top!

What would be your favourite topping?

If you like chocolate and black cherries then how about trying our Black Forest Cheesecake!

Dorsetmums Disclimer – I will not be held responsible if you get distracted by one of the kids or Facebook and burn the butter or over mix the cream.   xxx

We’ve had a really cracking December and one of our highlights has to be Santa’s Sunday Lunch at the Riviera Hotel in Bournemouth.

I knew beforehand that we were able to use the leisure facilities while we were there so I packed everything we’d need for a swim and as Daddy couldn’t make it at the last minute we invited Nanny.

The hotel is very easy to find in Alum Chine and I was very pleased to discover we didn’t have to pay for parking.  From the minute we stepped in the door the staff were absolutely lovely and it wasn’t long before we were seated in their beautifully festive Cunarder restaurant and Santa was there ready and waiting to greet us!



The atmosphere was truly Christmassy, the tables were set beautifully, we had crackers to pull and Sam even had a pen and Santa’s list to write his requests on.  The Menu was 3 courses and Sam had his own children’s Menu to choose from too.  Every course we had was utterly delicious and by the end of the meal I had serious concerns about going swimming in case I just sank to the bottom of the pool!



Throughout the meal Santa was there talking to the children and making jokes.  Sam loves Star Wars so he was very impressed with the gift he was given and even Lucy had an unexpected bunny blanket which she adores.



After spending a good hour and a half enjoying our meal we said our thanks and headed off to find the pool.  The changing room was spotlessy clean and even though poor little Lucy was tired we headed off for a dip and spent another hour playing with the kids in the warm water.  My highlight had to be the super bubbly hot Jacuzzi which Sam enjoyed jumping in and out of.  Myself and my Mum took turns to hold Lucy but I could of honestly just lay in there for the whole day had I of been child free.

Before getting in the car we went to the bar for another drink and as Lucy slept Sam made some friends and they played happily in the games room while we sat back and relaxed for a while.

Good to know………..

The drinks are not overpriced like some hotels we’ve visited before.  Tea and Coffee was included at the end of our meal and I only paid £5.30 for an apple juice, orange juice and appletiser, bargain!

Free use of the leisure facilities were included in the day.  Towels were offered which I didn’t expect and I’ll remember this for next time.  There are lockers in the changing room which you’ll need a £1 coin for.

The toilets have baby change facilities.

The staff are more than happy to warm baby milk and baby food if you ask.

To keep up to date with future events at the hotel please visit the Website or Facebook page.

Well done to the staff and management at the Hotel Riviera, we had an extremely enjoyable afternoon with you.  The staff couldn’t of been more helpful, everyone had a smile on their face, Santa was very approachable and jolly, the food was delicious and your leisure facilities are amazing.  I have made a note of your Valentines event and with any luck Nanny will be able to stay over so that my husband and I can dine with you for the evening.