A sweet invitation

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Celebrate the gift of friendship over two of our all-time best desserts.

As spring approaches, the promise of warmer, brighter weather ahead makes us eager to get together with folks. This month, get a jump on your entertaining, and extend an invitation for dessert and coffee to your friends. Our luscious delicacies will easily lure them out of hibernation. Both are easy to assemble and bake, but do plan to make Key Lime Cheesecake With Strawberry Sauce one day ahead. Keep decorations simple for a fret-free gathering.

CYBIL B. TALLEY

BEST CARROT SHEET CAKE

MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS

PREP: 25 MIN., BAKE: 43 MIN.

STIR together first 4 ingredients. BEAT eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrots and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13-- x 9-inch pan.

BAKE at 350 deg for 30 minutes; cover pan loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning, and bake 13 more minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over cake; cool completely in pan. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting evenly over cake.

Buttermilk Glaze:

MAKES 1 1/2 CUPS

BRING sugar, baking soda, butter, buttermilk- and corn syrup to a boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes or until mixture is golden brown. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla extract.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

MAKES 4 CUPS

BEAT butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

ADD powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat at high speed 10 seconds or until smooth.

KEY LIME CHEESECAKE WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS

PREP: 20 MIN.; BAKE: 1 HR., 13 MIN.; STAND: 15 MIN.; CHILL: 8 HRS.

STIR together first 3 ingredients, and firmly press on bottom and 1 inch up sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan.

BAKE at 350 deg for 8 minutes; cool.

BEAT cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream, rind, and juice. Pour batter into crust. BAKE at 325 deg for 1 hour and 5 minutes; turn oven off. Partially open oven door; let stand in oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately run a knife around edge of pan, releasing sides.

COOL completely in pan on a wire rack; cover and chill 8 hours. Garnish, if desired, and serve with Strawberry Sauce.

Strawberry Sauce:

MAKES 1 CUP

PROCESS all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Mar 2003
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