New York Style Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

I apologize for the long time between posts. We've been trying to use up what was in the cupboard and what was there was not in any of the recipes I have. We went grocery shopping the other day though so I'm back in the game! Tonight it's Jessica vs. New York Style Cheesecake with Sour Cream topping.

This is a recipe my fantastic grandmother sent me. I'd never actually had this particular version before and, to be honest, the idea of a sour cream topping was a little disturbing. It turned out all right though! It's definitely different but quite delicious. For those of you who find normal cheesecake a bit too sweet, this one is definitely for you! I had my neighbor over to taste test and even though he said he'd prefer it with strawberries he went back for seconds. Success!

New York Style Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping

Tools:

Large Mixing Bowl

Small Mixing Bowl

Ziplock Baggie

Microwave Safe Bowl

Spoon

Salad Fork (for beating)

Measuring Spoons

Measuring Cups

9x13 Baking Dish

Can of Cooking/Baking Spray

Ingredients for Crust:

1/3 cup Butter

3 tbs Sugar

1 1/4 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (Approximately 7 crackers)

Ingredients for Cake:

5 Eggs

1 cup Sugar

3 8oz packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Ingredients for Topping: 

1 pint Sour Cream

1/2 cup Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions for Crust:

• Grease 9 x 13 baking pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  
• Put Graham crackers into Ziplock baggie. Crush crackers into dust.
• Melt butter in microwave safe bowl.
• Mix butter, graham crackers and sugar together in a small mixing bowl.
• Press mixture into bottom of 9x13 pan.

Instructions for Cake:

• Beat eggs with fork in a large mixing bowl.
• Gradually add in sugar.
• Soften cream cheese. (Generally, this can be done by placing unwrapped cheese in the microwave for 10-15 seconds in a microwave safe bowl)
• Beat in cream cheese in small portions.
• Mix in vanilla extract.
• Pour mixture into pan over the graham cracker crust.
• Put in oven and bake for 50 minutes.

Instructions for Topping:

• In small mixing bowl, beat together sour cream, sugar and vanilla.
• Pour topping into the pan after the cake has been cooked.
• Put in oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Let cheesecake cool thoroughly before serving. Keep refrigerated. 

Grandma's Corn Pudding

It's Christmas Eve and even though my husband and I were unable to travel across country to be with family we still found ways to have them around us. For instance, I made Grandma's Corn Pudding. This is one of those dishes that I actually associate with summer since my Grandmother always brought it to our family reunions but I needed a dish to take to our friend's Christmas Potluck and this seemed absolutely perfect.

I was right.

Grandma's Corn Pudding

Tools:

Large Mixing BowlMixing Spoon

Toothpicks

9x13 Baking Dish

Can of Cooking/Baking Spray

Ingredients:
2 cans of Regular Corn - drained

1 can of Creamed Corn

1 stick (1/2 Cup) Butter - softened

1 pint (16oz) Sour Cream

2 Eggs

1 small package of Corn Muffin Mix

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mix together all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
• Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish
• Bake for 45minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean
• Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving
  

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

You all are in for a treat today. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (I know, another dish named for exactly what it is. Get used to it!) are a sweet and savory appetizer perfect for holiday parties. The best part about these bite size treats is how easy they are to make!

My husband was adamant that he remembered having these before and not liking them. I can assure you that, based on the empty plate on the counter, that was not the case. If you're not normally a water chestnut fan I urge you to give them a second chance with this dish. You might be pleasantly surprised!


Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Tools:
Broiler Pan
Meat Shears or Large Knife
Small Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Toothpicks
9x13 Baking Dish
Spatula


Ingredients:
2 cans of Water Chestnuts
1 pound of Sliced Bacon
1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup Brown Sugar - packed!

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Drain water chestnuts.
• Cut bacon in half.
• Wrap a half slice of bacon around a water chestnut. Secure with toothpick then place on broiler pan. Repeat until all chestnuts are wrapped or you're out of bacon.
• Put pan in oven and bake for 45 mins.
• In a small mixing bowl put the three remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
• Using a spatula to lift them from the broiler pan, move all water chestnuts into a 9x13 baking dish.
• Pour sauce generously over the water chestnuts. Use it all! Don't be skimpy.
• Bake for an additional 30 mins.
• Remove from oven and let sit for at least 15 mins before serving.

While it does take a bit of time in the oven the process itself is very simple. Let me know how they turned out for you!