Now that’s my first attempt with a cheesecake, and surprisingly YES, it turned out to be way better than I expected for a newbie, and a grand success. Cheesecake is one of those desserts I would prefer baking only on special occasions, and fortunately I was able to club this as a surprise for my friend’s birthday…!!

This 3 layered New York style cheesecake is actually not a cake, it’s basically a custard pie with tons and tons of cheese, baked on a crunchy graham cracker crust, topped with a layer of any fruit toppings. I have prepared a berry compote whose sweet and tangy flavour complements the sweet sour taste of the cheesecake perfectly.

Did you guys know that there is a National Cheesecake day? Well Yes; July 30 is celebrated as National Cheesecake Day, dedicated to America’s favourite dessert…

One of the most common issues while baking a cheese cake is the formation of cracks. A few pointers to be noted:

• Ensure all ingredients are brought to room temperature before preparation.
• Do not overmix the batter.
• Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily in-between the bake, this brings in sudden temperature variations.

Enjoy baking, Happy Caking…!!!

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Prep time: 30 minutes + 2 hr baking time + cooling time
Serves: 12-16

INGREDIENTS

For the crust

• 5 tbsp unsalted butter (melted) + to butter the pan
• 12 graham cracker crumbs or digestive biscuits
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ tsp salt

For the filling

• 2½ pound (40 oz) cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
• 1½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 cup sour cream

For the berry compote

• 2 cups berries (I have used frozen blackberries, blueberries, & raspberries)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

For the crust

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan and keep aside.
3. To make the crust, grind the graham crackers in a food processor until finely powdered.
4. Add butter, sugar, and salt to the processor and grind it for a few seconds to combine it to a finely moistened mixture.
5. On to the buttered springform pan, transfer the mixture and press it down and up the sides (an inch high on the sides) firmly using the bottom of a measuring cup or anything with a flat surface.
6. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes until the crust becomes dry at the bottom and a little golden on the edges. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling

1. To a mixer bowl add the cream cheese and sugar, beat on a medium speed using the paddle attachment for about 3 minutes, until its turns fluffy, scraping the sides using a spatula as needed.
2. Add the grated lemon zest and the lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined.
4. Finally add the sour cream and give it a last round of beating for another 2 minutes, until properly mixed.

For the berry compote

1. Combine berries, sugar, lemon juice and water in a sauce pan and boil till it turns into a thick syrup.
2. Allow it to cool completely.

Preparation of the cake

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Boil enough water required for your water bath.
3. Place the cooled pan on a sheet of aluminum foil and wrap the foil around the pan ensuring there is no gap. This is to ensure no water seeps in while we bake the cake in the water bath.
4. Pour the filling into the pan. It will fill above the crust, smooth out the surface using a spatula to make it flat.
5. To prepare the water bath, place the pan inside a large and shallow roasting pan. Carefully pour the boiling water into the roasting pan to reach halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
6. Place the roasting pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Check the cake after 80 minutes; it should be set but lightly jiggly in the center. Continue baking.
7. Once done, take the springform pan of the water bath and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Run a paring knife around the edges of the pan and allow it to cool for another hour.
8. Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool overnight.
9. Once cooled, unlock the springform pan to remove the cake.
10. The cheesecake is now good to be served as is, or with fruits.
11. To top your cake with the berry compote, pour the cooled syrup on top of the cake and level it. Cool it in the refrigerator for another 30 mins to allow it to set, and serve.

Recipe heavily adapted from New York-Style Cheesecake.

The post Cheesecake with Berry Compote appeared first on Pepper Delight.

The sweet-sourness of blackberry-blueberry compote complements the creaminess of the panna cotta, together it is a heavenly combination and an awesome dessert.

Prep time  : 40 – 45 mins (and chilled for 6 hours)
Serves        : 7 servings

INGREDIENTS

For Panna cotta :

Heavy whipping cream     : 2 cup
Milk                                       : 1/2 cup
Sugar                                     : ½ cup
Vanilla essence                    : 1 ½ teaspoon
Unflavoured gelatin            : 1 packet
Butter/Cooking spray         : to grease
Ramekins or shot glasses   : 7

For Blackberry-Blueberry compote :

Blackberry      : 150 g
Blueberry        : 150 g
Sugar                : 75 g
Lemon juice   : 1 tbsp
Water               : 1.5 cup

INSTRUCTIONS

Making Panna Cotta:

1. Dilute gelatin by mixing in 3 tbsp cold water and gelatin powder in a small bowl. Let it stand there for few minutes until it become thickened to syrupy form.
2. In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk and sugar on medium heat, by stirring continuously. Add Vanilla essence and mix properly, switch off the flame.
3. Mix with the dissolved gelatin and stir till it get mixed to the cream mixture
4. Spray some cooking oil to ramekins or grease with butter .
5. Pour the cream mixture to these glasses and let it stand in the refrigerator for 6 hours.

Making Blackberry-Blueberry Compote:

1. In a pan, add water, blackberry, blueberry, sugar and lemon juice. Heat by gently stirring the liquid. Bring to boil and then heat on low heat. Simmer for 10-15 mins, until slightly syrupy and allow it to cool completely.

The post Vanilla Panna Cotta with Blackberry-Blueberry compote appeared first on Pepper Delight.