Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Get To Savor A Slice Of Heaven With A Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

By Chasity Sheppard


The holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration and for families to get together, but for some people the idea of having to spend an entire day with all their relatives sounds like hell. Maybe Aunt Mildred will refuse to speak to Dad because he broke her favorite teapot twenty years ago, or maybe Grandpa will drink too much and insult your sister's new boyfriend. If this is the kind of family get-together that you have to look forward to, it may be time to find a good pumpkin cheesecake recipe so that, even for only a few minutes, everyone will be quiet as they savor a slice of heaven.

Pumpkins are synonymous with North America in the fall. This is the time when these native vegetables are abundant and a staple for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. They're brimming with Vitamin A, beta-carotene and other nutrients and because you can serve them as part of the main course or as dessert, they're a versatile way of getting the kids to eat their veggies.

Another North American favorite is cheesecake. Variations of this dessert have been around since ancient times. Like squash, it's very versatile and you can make fruity versions, ones bursting with chocolate or even delicate variations where the cheese base is simply flavored with rose water. Normally the cheese required is a soft, white, cream cheese and eggs can sometimes be added to help firm it up and give it a richer taste.

While pumpkin pie is a holiday favorite, you can give it a more sophisticated twist by combining it with cheesecake. The pureed squash gives the dessert a beautiful color and cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices provide the taste of tradition. Because of the cheese, the cake has a creamy, smooth texture and is less sweet than a regular pie.

While the filling is important, the crust can completely transform the cake into something special. Most recipes call for graham crackers which are roughly crushed and mixed with butter. However, it's easy to substitute graham crackers with something else, like ginger cookies or even chopped nuts. If making the crust sounds like too much work, you may use a ready-made pie crust or even opt for a crustless version.

Most recipes call for the cake to be baked and then left in the fridge for a couple of hours to set. There are no-bake recipes too, where you can skip the oven time. Whichever method you prefer, though, it's important not to cut the cake until it's completely set, or the filling will flow into the open space and our cheesecake will be sunken in places.

The best way to find recipes is to ask friends and relatives who love baking. Cookery books and websites are a good option too. You'll find a huge variety of recipes online, even for vegan versions using tofu instead of cheese.

If your skills in the kitchen are a little lacking, it's best to opt for an easy pumpkin cheesecake recipe. As your culinary talents develop, you can then start substituting ingredients for a whole new range of flavor combinations. However you make the dessert, though, your guests are sure to be impressed and will definitely ask for seconds.




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