Father's Day
My husband wasn't home today for Father's Day as he was "out making the bacon." Since he wasn't home, the kids and I decided to surprise him and make him his favorite dessert: cheesecake!
I am a bit of a cheesecake snob; I also love cheesecake and am really picky about them! Think Cheesecake Factory as setting the bar. :-)
I think due to this fact, I have never attempted a "real" one. Meaning, I have made the no-bake cheesecakes, but not tried the real thing. I think I have been afraid it won't live up to the amazing ones I've had before. I am a good cook, but don't have a lot of courage with the dessert spectrum.
I decided to be brave though and found a recipe and bought the ingredients. Then, I scrapped that recipe as I realized I didn't own (nor had I even heard of) a springform pan nor did I have a clue how to do a "water bath." Guess I should have looked at the recipe a little more before buying the ingredients!
So, I scrambled and looked online and found a recipe that neither needed a springform pan- (which- sidenote- now that I know what that is- I want one! How cool!) or required learning how to do a water bath. I also had to find one that had the same ingredients I had already bought!
I settled on one from Philadelphia Cream Cheese that cooked in a 9x13 pan. Yep, 9x13! Quite a bit different from any cheesecake I've tried, but I was in desperate need of one that didn't need the springform and I have TONS of 9x13s!
Perhaps the real gift this Father's Day will be my husband trying this new creation.... not only did the kids help make it (insert a yikes! here!), but my mixer died while making it and I had to mix it ALL by hand.
I have had the worst luck with mixers! I had a stand mixer I loved (not a KitchenAid dream mixer by any means, but a nice Hamilton Beach that was a Black Friday deal my husband got me for like $40) and the beaters rusted! Instead of just replacing them like a normal person, I bought a cheapo Walmart one. Apparently a bad move.
Well, fingers crossed it turns out okay! At least the kids had fun making it and are excited to give it to Brian! He is such a good dad, he will pretend it is the best cheesecake he has ever had! :-)
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| Zoe was in charge of making the graham cracker crumbs |
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| Cian made the crust |
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| Grace helped me hand mix the cheesecake part |
Mel, was it easy to get out of the pan? The spingform is your only man for a good cheesecake, couldn't live with out it... I remember Brian is very fond of a pavlova if the baking bug gets you again. only a sheet pan required but you would definitely need the mixer... happy baking! Mary
ReplyDeleteI will have you over for baking 101 and we will make things in water baths! One Of my favorite desserts calls for a water bath---chocolate brownie pudding!!
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