Buzz
After a single unfortunate misstep that resulted in a fractured left ankle, I've been staying with my parents during the week. Even now, three weeks after the accident, I'm still not able to do simple chores or cook for myself in any meaningful way. Fortunately, my stepmother, Annette, is an excellent cook, so I haven't gone hungry and have been thoroughly enjoying meals made by someone else.
While I may not share any of Annette's genetic traits, I definitely inherited her sandwich-making prowess, as well as her talent for adding surprisingly simple touches that make all the difference. (Like placing a damp paper towel under your soup bowl to prevent it from sliding around.) Annette is currently into topping everything with sweetened cream cheese, a small indulgence that’s cheap but brings immense joy. Whether it's on fruit, banana bread, or a plain biscuit—sweetened cream cheese transforms everything into something with a cheesecake-like vibe, and that's definitely a vibe worth having.
Making sweetened cream cheese is a breeze. Allow 8 ounces of full-fat cream cheese to soften on the counter, then blend it with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, depending on your sweetness preference. You can add a hint of vanilla, almond extract, or liqueur if you're in the mood. Mash it all together with a plastic spatula to achieve a dense, smooth texture, or use an immersion blender or hand mixer to make it light and fluffy. Now you're all set to add a touch of sweet luxury to your day.
My top choice for sweetened cream cheese is to spoon it over a wine-poached pear, though a chilled canned pear works just fine when you’re in a pinch. Breakfast carbs are another obvious option—after all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a deconstructed cheesecake first thing in the morning?
