A Black and White Dining Room and All-To-Myself Cheesecakes

Our choices for today’s room and recipe were really pretty simple because,

A. it’s National Cheesecake Day, and…

B. we’re loving this new Bellagio Dining Collection and wanted to show it off!

THE ROOM

SHOP THIS LOOK:
table | side chairs | slipcovered chairs | china cabinet

This dining room proves that black and white is definitely not boring!

It’s all about the mix – varying textures and using rustic pieces with interesting details and a slightly elegant flair all in shades of black and white.

We also like how the aged, textured finish on the table and chairs works to soften the black and adds a very welcoming patina to the entire setting.  It feels comfortable and livable for every day, but still beautiful and unique – a place where you definitely would be proud to entertain!

In the second version of the dining room, the upholstered chairs soften the look and up the formal factor ever so slightly. You could really have fun mixing and matching the chairs even more to create your own unique look.

{related post: 7 Ways to Mix and Match Chairs in the Dining Room}

THE RECIPE

We don’t think design needs to be complicated, and we’re clearly adhering to that philosophy in the recipes we choose as well!

(We also seem to be attracted to cheesecake – I realized as I was writing this post that this is the third cheesecake recipe we’ve shared.)

The nice thing about these cheesecakes is that they’re small and just-right-sized, so you won’t over indulge. On the flip side, they’re super delicious and easy to eat so you just may.

Try them out and come back and let us know how you liked them!

ALL TO MYSELF CHEESECAKES

INGREDIENTS

12 chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling (we use Oreos)
2 (8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tsp. shortening

DIRECTIONS

Split cookies, keeping filling on 1 half of cookie. Line muffin pans with foil baking cups. Place filling-covered cookie in baking cups, filling side up. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs just until well mixed. Spoon cream cheese mixture into baking cups. Crush remaining cookies and sprinkle over cream cheese mixture.

Bake, uncovered, in a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes, or until set. Cool.

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate pieces with shortening over low heat, stirring frequently. Drizzle over baked cheesecakes. Cover and chill.

Makes 12 single-serving cheesecakes.

ENJOY!