Lindsay McKenna's Christmas Cheesecake Recipe!

Hi Everyone!

I love this time of year. It's a great 'time out' to do some serious baking. I love to cook--never have enough time for it, but do my best. I want to share with you my Christmas Cheesecake. This recipe has a history and I want to give due to those who passed it on to me. My friend Helen gave me this recipe about twenty years ago. And she got it from her Aunt who passed it on to her before she died. I have made this easy but delicious cheesecake many times a year. The one I make at Christmas I place red and green sprinkles on top of it after it's baked. You an choose the pattern you want to use :-)

Here's the recipe:



Oven temperature: 325 F



3 -- 8 ozs of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (for those who want to watch their weight like me, I get the 'light' variety--but either will do)

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tblsp. vanilla

Cream the sugar and cream cheese. Add eggs one at a time. Blend well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Blend well.



Put Springform pan in the overn to warm for about 5 minutes.



Coat with melted 2-3 tblsp. of butter (I use organic olive oil spray from Pam)



Then, take 1 cup of crushed graham crackers and run them around in the Springform pan.



Pour the mixture into the Springform pan.



Bake 45 minutes

Take it out and go to step 2 while it is cooling for about 10 minutes.

sour cream topping

1 pint sour cream (I use 'lite' variety, but either will do)

6 tblsp. sugar (I use frutcose sugar but any 'real' sugar will do--do not use sucrose or any other fake sugar in this recipe--it will taste awful)

1 tlsp. of Vanilla

Add all ingredients in a small bowl and beat until smooth.



Pour the sour cream topping into the baked cheesecake. Then, put back into the oven for 10 minutes.

Cool 1 hour before putting into the fridge and several hours int he fridge before slicing.

When cooled, add one can of cherries over the top of it. Remove the Springform pan. Voila! you have a gorgeous Christmas Cheesecake. Just add red and green sprinkles on top. Any design that inspires you will do!



Enjoy !
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna
www.lindsaymckenna.com