Holiday reflections (white chocolate blueberry cheesecake)

[vaneramos]

White chocolate blueberry cheesecake


One highlight of Christmas Day I didn’t mention was the white chocolate blueberry cheesecake I made. Two weeks ago a link to the recipe appeared here, but it’s worth posting behind a cut for posterity. Mom said it was the best cheesecake she had ever tasted, and I’m inclined to agree.

This holiday has passed like a blur. Every day has been packed. I don’t know how I’ve managed to stay on all this time with the girls. I used to get cranky a lot more readily. Mind you, their entertainments are becoming more entertaining for me. Tonight I feel the first hints of exhaustion. Admittedly, one thing that keeps me going is knowing it will only last another week. Then I can relapse into solitude.

On the other hand I feel more energized than usual. I wonder whether fulltime parenting was really what I might have been cut out for, but fate hasn’t allowed it, and I try not to wallow in what-ifs. It makes sense to make the best of this time together while I can.

I’ve also been grateful for Danny’s company these past two days. But I’ve had no time for LJ, and have missed it.



White chocolate blueberry cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:

* CRUST:
* 2 cups crushed graham crackers
* 1 cup slivered almonds
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/4 cup clarified butter, melted
* 2 tablespoons caramel topping
*
* FILLING:
* 1 pound white chocolate, chopped
* 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened (I used light and it worked fine)
* 3/4 cup white sugar
* 4 eggs, beaten
* 2 egg yolks
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*
* TOPPING:
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon cornstarch
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 pint fresh blueberries
* 2 teaspoons lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Make the crust: In a food processor, blend together the graham cracker crumbs, almonds and sugar until the almonds are ground fine. Pour in the melted butter and caramel while processing, until mixture is combined. Press the mixture onto the bottom, and half way up the side of a 10 inch springform pan.
2. Make the filling: In a metal bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the white chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and the egg yolks, one at a time. Beat in the flour and the vanilla and blend in the melted white chocolate slowly, beating until the filling is well combined. Pour filling into crust.
3. Bake in the middle of preheated oven for 1 hour. Then turn off the heat, and crack the oven door an inch, letting the cheesecake cool in the oven to room temperature. Cover loosely and refrigerate overnight before removing from pan.
4. Make the topping: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water and blueberries. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press through a fine sieve. Stir in lemon juice, allow to cool, and store in a glass jar.

Comments

[missprune.livejournal.com]

That sounds and looks so marvelous. Makes me realize that I would have liked to make something extra special for Christmas day. Maybe next year... I'm glad you are really enjoying your time with the girls. I think exhaustion is just part of the mix, I haven't figured out how to avoid its intrusion into at least parts of the festive days.

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

You post the yummiest photos. :-)

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

mmmmm! i remember reading the recipe and thinking it'd be good, but wow!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I made a maple-pecan cheesecake for Christmas at my parents' last year. Cheesecakes are very special but not too labour intensive.

Yes, I suppose the exhaustion is to be expected, and I shouldn't take it too seriously. The girls' long summer vacations don't seem to tax me as much. But everyone has high expectations for this time of year.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Hehe, thanks!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It always feels like a risk trying something untested, but this one was worthwhile.

Re: Yum!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I actually tasted the dessert that inspired this experiment at Vienna Home Bakery on Queen Street several weeks ago. Unfortunately I don't think their white chocolate blueberry cheesecake was a standard menu item, but they always have delectable desserts.

If you try this, just make sure you have a few hungry bears on hand to eat it and save you from killing yourself.