Patrick’s most requested dessert, hands down is cheesecake! His favorite dessert by far. We have tried out a few variations of recipes to figure out what works best for us and this is where we have landed. I am NOT A BAKER, but this is doable. Pretty basic and easy no matter your skill level.
When it comes to tools needed, the key is a springform pan and a mixer. We use our Kitchenaide mixer for ease, but by no means does it need to be.
As for ingredients, its actually a relatively short list – cream cheese, butter, sugar, graham crackers, eggs, vanilla, lemon juice.
You can always buy your own crust, but I swear the homemade crust is what makes this so good. Up to you, but you should make your own, just saying 😬
Use two sleeves of your favorite graham cracker brands (about 2 cups crumbled). We use a plastic bag to crumble and a rolling pin to really get it fine. You can crumble the graham crackers down as much as you like, but I do like to leave some chunk to it, but that is all personal preference.
After crumbled, you can combine the remaining crust ingredients. It will be cake like in texture but not overly gooey. It is in fact more dry than gooey when fully mixed together, so don’t let that throw you in the process.
You will then use a spatula or tool of your choice to push the crust along the bottom of the springform pan and the edges. Perfection does not exist on this, push and let it be! You can see that I am not perfectly level on any of the sides in the image below.
Now on to the filling. You will combine all ingredients with the exception of the egg whites from the four separated eggs into a bowl suitable for a mixer. We use our Kitchenaide stand up mixer but whatever you have will be suitable. Mix until thoroughly combined. Separately mix the egg whites until stiff and creamy, then fold into your greater mixture.
Finally, you can pour your filling into the crust that lines the springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for thirty five minutes and then turn OFF the oven and let stand for another hour. You can then remove and refrigerate over night.
If you choose, you can freeze as well.
Pretty, right!? It’s just as delicious!
Cheers,
km
