For My Sweetie Cheesecake Recipes

MASTER RECIPE FOR RICH AND CREAMY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position, and heat oven to 325 degrees. Brush interior of a 9-inch springform pan with butter. Add crumbs of choice and tilt pan in all directions to evenly coat, or line pan sides with ladyfingers. Tear off two long strips of heavy-duty foil, overlap in a cross pattern, and set the pan in the middle. Bring up sides, crimping around exterior top of the pan and forming a tight seal. Set it in a roasting pan large enough to hold it.
• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat on medium speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down bowl sides and beat again until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl after each addition to ensure a creamy batter. Slowly beat in vanilla, then cream and sour cream. (Meanwhile, bring tea kettle of water to a boil, then turn off heat.)
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Set the roasting pan on oven rack and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake until cake perimeter is set but center still jiggles, about 40 minutes (some flavor variations will take longer). Turn off heat and leave oven door ajar; let cheesecake sit in oven so the residual heat continues to cook it, about 30 minutes.
• Remove pan from water; set on a wire rack. Let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until well-chilled, about 3 hours (can be refrigerated up to 4 days). Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan, loosen the spring siding and serve.

CREAMY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat softened cream cheese slightly. Add eggs, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Beat until light and fluffy. Pour mixture into crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until firm, about 25 minutes. Let cheesecake cool then top with cherry or blueberry pie filling, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

FOR MY SWEETIE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crust: Heat oven to 350. Butter the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. In medium bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut butter in until coarse crumbs form.
• In small bowl, combine egg yolk and Key lime juice. Add to flour mixture and blend until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom of pan.
• Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until set. The edges will be slightly browned.
• Cheesecake: In large bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add in cornstarch and combine. Add in eggs, one at a time, then combine in Key lime juice. Pour filling into crust.
• Bake in oven for 45-50 minutes or until set. When done, turn off oven and crack door. Leave in oven for 30 minutes. Run knife around edge and take off springform. Cool completely before putting in fridge overnight.
• Berry Topping: Smash 1 cup strawberries. Put in small pan along with jam, water, and cornstarch. Mix. Bring to boil, stirring constantly and boil 1 minute or so until thickened. Strain. Cool. Spoon in middle of cheesecake to within 1/4 to 1/2 inch of edge. Or if desired, arrange berries on cheesecake, cover with glaze.
• White Chocolate Mousse: Melt chips with 1/4 cup cream in microwave at 70% power for about 1 minute. Stir. If not melted, continue in microwave at 70% power stirring every 20-30 seconds. Cool.
• In medium bowl, beat 3/4 cup cream with pudding mix for about 2 minutes. Take one spoonful out into the white chocolate and combine. Add this into the pudding/cream mixture and fold over until combined. Decorate edges of cheesecake with the mousse.