Valentine’s Cheesecake

A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. Can’t you just taste the sweet, creamy goodness?!  But to actually taste this yummy cake, you will need the recipe.  So here it is:

Valentine’s Cheesecake

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees

Graham cracker crust:
2 pkgs or 18 whole graham crackers, ground into crumbs in blender or food processor
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick of butter melted

Stir the sugar into the graham cracker crumbs and add the melted butter.  Stir together until the crumbs are moist then press into a 10 inch springform pan.

Cheesecake:
2 1/2 lbs. cream cheese at room temperature (that is five 8oz.pkgs.)
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
rind of 1 lemon
rind of 1 orange
2 egg yolks
5 whole eggs
1/4 heavy cream

Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth.  It is really important that the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid it from becoming lumpy.  Add the vanilla and lemon and orange rinds and mix again.  Add the 2 yolks and mix well.  Add the whole eggs one at a time beating after each addition  Slowly mix in the cream.  Pour the cheese mixture into the graham cracker crust.

Bake at 475 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 300 degrees and continue baking for 1 hour.  Cool completely then chill.  Before serving whip 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon vanilla to soft peaks.  Spread on the top of the cheesecake and top with fresh strawberries or raspberries or drizzle with chocolate sauce, or serve it plain with the whipped cream on the side.  There just isn’t a “wrong” way to serve this most delicious dessert 🙂

If you serve this to those you love, it will be a happy Valentine’s Day for certain, filled with love, joy and an abundance of sweet, creamy memories!

Love,