Pineapple Coconut Squares, Rolo Cookies, Cherry Tartlets and a Dip

When I visit your blogs or recipe sites, it is without fail I find something new, different, delicious, and with each delicious discovery, I promise myself, I am going to make this. My collection grows everyday, but it's the rare opportunity that presents itself where I can have a cookathon. So when my employer announced a department meeting, I immediately seized the opportunity to make several different recipes and offered to bring treats.

On the left, are Rolo Cookies. Love chocolate cookies? Love Rolo candies? Then I encourage you to try these. There's a surprise, melty, chocolately, caramely surprise in the center of each cookie. These were a huge hit with my co-workers.

I was up at 4 o'clock this morning putting together, a sweet discovery, Pineapple Coconut Squares, Yummm...the house smelled like a tropical paradise while these were baking. None of these came home with me. I found this keeper recipe on Trish's blog, The Mad Chemist. All of Trish's recipes are mouth-watering good! She's a diversified and talented cook and a gifted writer as well. When you visit her site, it's as if you've been invited to sit with her in her kitchen.

This little tartlet-cheesecake recipe has been around a long time; I made these back when I was first learning how to cook. They were well received then, and times haven't changed. People who love cheesecake, love these. And boy are they ever easy and quick to make! I used a Paula Deen recipe, but I charge it up by adding a couple of good swipes of fresh lemon with my microplane. Believe me, it makes all the difference. I made these in the tinfoil cupcake holders (the kind that don't need to be put in a muffin cup first) and was able to make 24 little tarts. They are a showstopper.

Now the last thing I made I'm rather embarrassed to mention, but it's so tasty and simple that I want to share it with you. It has to be the simplest fruit dip. Two ingredients. Two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened, and a jar of marshmallow fluff. Put both ingredients in a bowl, stir until well combined. That's it. Soooo good and so easy. I found a couple of inexpensive red, star-shaped bowls at Wal-Mart. Put the dip in one and my beautiful, ruby red strawberries in the other.

Just a yummy day from beginning to end!