{oh my heart and home} get your game on!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HomeBowlParty #CollectiveBias

the end of january is almost here and that means the end of football season. cue sad trombones. while i'm not the biggest football fan, i am a huge fan of any occasion that lets me throw a party and eat a ton of delicious food! 

over the years i've learned to keep things simple when hosting. there is nothing worse than having so many ambitious party plans that the you run yourself ragged trying to execute everything. as far as decor, i'm a big believer in using what you have. this is why i tend to use "real" dinnerware, etc instead of disposable. it's less for me to buy. a few simple elements, classic white dishes and flowers(i am a florist so that's non-negotiable!) are all you need to create a festive party!

i drew inspiration from the idea of a gentlemen's study. i wanted it to look masculine but not scream FOOTBALL. i settled on a little bit of plaid, denim, metallics and a touch of vintage.

i love the way it turned out! it's a little sophisticated but relaxed enough that my husband and his friends can enjoy the spread.

this brings us to the most important thing when hosting a #homebowlparty...the food! i grabbed some of these cute REESE'S footballs(because chocolate!),a few 6 packs of Coca-Cola and saved some money by using my CARTWHEEL app while making my weekly, err... every other day, target run. i knew these would be perfect to round out the party menu which included pulled pork sliders, homemade kitchen chips, and coleslaw. i decided to set up a DIY float station with the Coca-Cola. And, a party just isn't a party with dessert! these REESE'S cup mini cheesecakes are sublime!
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INGREDIENTS

Crust

  • 4 graham crackers
  • 1 Tbs Sugar
  • 2 Tbs melted butter
  • a pinch of salt
  • 8 REESE’S Miniatures

Cheesecake

  • 7 ounces of whipped cream cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup Ricotta cheese
  • 2 Tbs Flour
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla 

TOPPING

  • ½ cup chocolate chips (melted)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Use blender or food processor to pulse graham crackers into almost a flour.
  2. Stir sugar into the graham crackers, and add melted butter, mix together and add a dash of salt.
  3. In a separate bowl cream together the cream cheese, ricotta, vanilla and sugar.
  4. Add in egg, and blend with hand mixer until fully incorporated.
  5. Mix in 2 Tbs flour until fully incorporated
  6. Use a muffin tin, and line with cupcake liners.
  7. Spoon about a tablespoon of graham cracker crust mixture into the bottom of each liner. Press firmly with the back of a spoon.
  8. Unwrap a REESE’S Miniature, and place one in the center of each liner.
  9. Fill the cup with cheesecake mixture.
  10. You should have 4 empty muffin slots, fill each of these with ¼ cup of water, the water will help the cheesecake bake more evenly.
  11. Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes, until just set in center. Do not overcook.
  12. Remove from oven.
  13. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes, remove from pan to cooling rack, and let cool an additional 45 minutes.
  14. Put in fridge for a few hours to set.
  15. Remove from fridge and top with cut up REESE'S Miniature.
  16. Melt chocolate in microwave for about 35 seconds.
  17. Drizzle melted chocolate on top