Pages

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.

The squash known as pumpkin is a north American staple. It's native to the continent and one of its most versatile food sources. Almost every part of it can be used, from the crunchy seeds to the skin and even the flowers. You can use it in savory dishes but its naturally sweet taste makes it perfect for desserts too. Many a parent has increased their children's intake of beta-carotene and Vitamin A by serving pumpkin pie, which doesn't taste like vegetables.

Cheesecake is, as the name suggests, a cake made of cheese. The cheese used is usually a soft cream cheese which is then sweetened with sugar. Eggs are often added to make the cake more firm and for flavor, it can contain anything from fruit to chocolate.

When you combine two of the most versatile dessert foods, you get pumpkin cheesecake. It has a gloriously rich golden color because of the squash, pureed and mixed in with the cheese. Cinnamon and other spices are reminiscent of pumpkin pie but the cheese gives it a more tart, sophisticated taste.

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.

Relatives and friends are often a good source of recipes. However, you may also find recipes online or in recipe books. There are hundreds of versions, even for ones that use tofu rather than cream cheese so that the cake is suitable for vegans or people who are lactose intolerant.

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.




About the Author: