Jacob came over yesterday and we cooked three cheesecakes for Christmas.

We used the Cheesecake Factory Recipe (below) and I worked with Jacob to make the first cheesecake, then left him and Samantha to make the other two.

We invited Tommy and Jodi to join us for dinner at Hillbilly’s Steak & BBQ, after which we returned to the house to enjoy said Cheesecake, with some home made blueberry topping!

It was a very satisfying experience – cooking, eating, eating too much – this is what holiday’s are made for, right?

 

Ingredients:

***if you prefer a crust without nuts, the recipe for the no-nuts crust is at the end of this recipe***

Crust:

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
3/4 cup finely chopped vanilla wafers
2 tablespoons melted butter

Filling:

1 1/2 lbs cream cheese
1 1/3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Crust Directions:

1. Mix all nuts and vanilla wafer crumbs with melted butter and press into a 9 inch buttered springform pan, trying to line the sides as much as possible about 1 1/2" up the sides of the pan, set aside.

Cheesecake Directions:

1. All the filling ingredients should be at room temperature.

2. Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy with an electric mixer set on low (keep the setting at low during the entire mixing process).

3. Add the sugar a little at a time and continue beating until creamy.

4. Add one egg at a time and beat after each egg.

5. Add flour, vanilla and lemon juice, mix well.

6. Add the sour cream and beat well.

7. Pour cream cheese mixture into the springform pan.

8. Place on the top rack in the middle of a 325 degrees preheated oven for one hour and 15 minutes.

9. When time is up turn oven off, prop open oven door and leave in oven for one hour.

10. Remove from oven and let cool then refrigerate for 24 hours.

11. Remember this important tip : A cheesecake should season. The wait is worth it. The flavor ripens and becomes enriched.

***The crust recipe below is for those who prefer a crust without nuts***

No-Nuts Crust

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup melted margarine

Directions:

1. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in melted margarine.

2. Press the crumb into a 9-inch spring form pan that has been lined on the bottom and side with parchment paper.

3. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan and about 2/3 the way up the side.

4. Put the crust in your freezer until the filling is done.