A Southern Grace: what's black and white and red all over?

October 25, 2010

what's black and white and red all over?

Yum

No, not a mime wearing lipstick, an embarrassed zebra, a sunburned penguin, a chocolate sundae with ketchup on top (which, might I add, sounds absolutely disgusting), a crossword puzzle done in red ink, or, the sneaky answer, a newspaper.


I'm talking about a surprisingly tasty cheesecake.

As you may remember, cheesecake is not something that makes me swoon. I find it tolerable at best. That said, I will gladly tolerate anything that looks as impressive as this treat, with its lovely layer of thickened raspberry goo, dark chocolate crust, and smooth and creamy cake.

Taste-wise, she ain't too shabby either. The subtle sweet-tartness of the raspberries really does a lot to balance out the tangy cream cheese and deeply decadent chocolate.


My goodness, that palate of mine is just growing up so fast! I guess that's what an unplanned hiatus does for a person. Maybe I should take breaks more often. Heck, the next thing you know, I'll be feasting on haggis, sweetbreads, and maggot cheese...

...but probably not.

Raspberries-to-the-Rescue Cheesecake
(from here)

Filling:
1 (10-ounce) package frozen raspberries, partially thawed
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Crust:
1 (9-ounce) package chocolate wafer cookies
1/3 cup butter, melted

Cheesecake:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine raspberries and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil (6 to 10 minutes). Continue boiling 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes.
Heat oven to 325°F. Place cookies in food processor bowl fitted with metal blade. Cover; process until very finely chopped (30 to 40 seconds). Add melted butter; process until smooth (20 to 30 seconds). Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
Combine sugar and cream cheese in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Stir in vanilla.
Pour half of cheesecake batter over crust. Spoon filling evenly over batter in pan. Top with remaining cheesecake batter. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until just set 2 inches from edge of pan. Turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven 2 hours. Remove from oven; loosen sides of cheesecake from pan by running knife around inside of pan. Cool completely (about 2 hours). Loosely cover; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

75 comments:

J e l e n a said...

I love this combination of raspberries in a cheesecake. Who says they have to be on the top!

CC11 said...

I only discovered a liking for cheesecake recently as well - yours sounds like a lovely combo

Dinetonite said...

Yumm, it looks delicious. I like this combination of raspberries in a cheesecake.

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

Ah cheesecake. Raspberries do seem to be a natural foil, don't they?!? I wish I had some cheesecake right now. For breakfast.

Julie M. said...

Yum, I love cheesecake. I especially love when you add fruit to one. It helps to counteract the richness of the cream. Yours looks perfect!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Very tasty and irresistible!

Cheers,

Rosa

Barbara said...

Fun to have the fruit INSIDE, Grace, instead of on top! And yum on that chocolate cookie crust! I keep forgetting about those....

Lori said...

I wasnt big on cheesecakes for a long time. Tolerated was a good word for how I used to feel. I love them now. Raspberries and white chocolate being the one that turned me over. SO I am quite sure I would find yours absolutely delicious.

TKW said...

I'm not big on cheesecake either, but I know a few men in my family who would love this!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Raspberries and chocolate are someting I would never miss. Cgeesecake is something I could never resist.

José Manuel said...

Realmente tentador este plato. Saludos

Faith said...

I'm so glad you've come to the deliciously dark side of cheesecake-eaters! :) Looks fantastic, Grace! Love the addition of raspberries, and that chocolate crust sounds amazing!

lisa is cooking said...

My goodness, what's not to like here? Raspberries, cheesecake, and a chocolate crust. Sounds divine!

vanillasugarblog said...

i'm on a long cheesecake kick so i am so with you here Ms Grace. i do love raspberries in my cheesecake.

scrambledhenfruit said...

It looks so creamy and delicious- Yum!! I love the idea of the raspberries inside. :)

Nutmeg Nanny said...

This looks great! It reminds me of the cheesecake dessert you can get from Olive Garden. Yum!

Mel said...

Our little Grace is all grown up! I love your mature taste buds, especially if it means I might see more cheesecake recipes on this here blog. This raspberry version looks decadent...especially with that dark chocolate crust!

Julie said...

Looks over the top delish! Please tell me there's really not something called maggot cheese.

Jennifer said...

Yummy, I am a huge fan of cheesecakes and this one looks goooooooood!

Joanne said...

I'm a huge fan of cheesecake and so I am SO glad you are expanding your palate towards it. Mainly because I'm selfish and it means that you will probably make more amazing recipes like this. Right? Pretty please?

kimberleyblue said...

Well, cheesecake is definitely one of my favs, and this one in particular would probably be near the top of the list! I love raspberries in cheesecake, and combined with a chocolate crust? Perfect!

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

I love the raspberry suprize inbetween and this cheese cake is sure to have me swooning and droolin!
Fantastic crust combi too/!

Unknown said...

To answer you question, the flag of my country is black, white and red all over:-) but I'd much rather eat your cake than my flag any day. Cheesecake is always a favourite with me.

Lyndas recipe box said...

I'm drooling as I type....cheesecake is one of my fondest desserts.
My favorite local restaurant serves a raspberry cheesecake with the berries mixed in. It is to die for, just like this one is I'm sure. Thanks for the recipe Grace!

Heidi - Apples Under My Bed said...

I too have never loved cheesecake. I have had one that was not too sweet and just very subtle, which I enjoyed. If this gets your stamp of approval then I may jut love it too! :) Maybe we WILL see a haggis post soon ;)
Heidi xo

pam said...

Yes, I think it would be quite the jump from this cheesecake to haggis.

Hungry Dog said...

That sure looks purdy. Good for the holidays!

Abby said...

I love all kinds of cheesecake so I *must* give this one a try, too! But not ... haggis. Ew.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I can't believe you're blogging about cheesecake. AND there isn't even any cinnamon in it. Looks really good Grace.
~ingrid

shaz said...

Chocolate and raspberries, one of my favourite pairings. I'll even take the cheesecake bit. Nice job Grace :)

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Grace, you're talking about one of my favourite ever combo-creamy and fruit!

Lucie said...

Glad the cheesecake has finally managed to seduce you! The raspberry and chocolate combination is great.

Suze said...

YUM! It's been a little too long since I made cheesecake..maybe I should do this one to bring me back!

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

You and that macro lens sure do make quite the tempting team! Glad to hear that palate is growing up - because this is some kind of awesome cheesecake missy :) xo

Albany Jane said...

Oh, I know you don't like cheesecake, but you're so good for humoring the rest of us that do!

Raspberries can do no wrong.

Anonymous said...

This cheesecake looks amazing with raspberries and chocolate crust!

blackbookkitchendiaries said...

i would love a slice of this cheesecake:) this looks so good.

Marjie said...

Cheesecake is one of my favorite things. What's not to love about the addition of chocolate? Raspberries are a nice finishing touch.

And, yes, a chocolate sundae with ketchup on top does sound absolutely disgusting. But maybe with strawberries?

pigpigscorner said...

ahh cheesecake, they make me swoon too!

Cara said...

Oh, no surprise there! Sounds luscious :)

FOODESSA said...

Grace...maybe if there was a good pinch of your favourite cinnamon...cheesecake would have been on your dessert plate a little sooner ;o))

Ciao for now,
Claudia

Pam said...

I only like cheesecake if it has fruit in it or on it. I think this beauty looks delicious!

Hornsfan said...

So far from shabby! This looks amazing, I love cheesecake and the chocolate + raspberry make it look divine!

The Blonde Duck said...

When is cheesecake not tasty?

sweetlife said...

i have been craving cheesecake all week and then I see this, yummy!!

sweetlife

Donna-FFW said...

It looks marvelous.. and raspberries are my favorite partner with cheesecake .. the chocolate crust just makes it all the better!

Juliana said...

You are so funny :-) I love raspberries...and this cheesecake looks absolutely delicious, so creamy.

Chef Fresco said...

I am also not the biggest fan of cheesecake. This one does look pretty amazing though, I must admit! Anything with raspberries is fine by me!

Amanda said...

You have captivated my interest. I really, REALLY want to try this!!!

Blessings!
Amanda

La Bella Cooks said...

I would get back on my cheesecake kick with this beauty. Love the raspberries in there.

Bunny said...

Maggot Cheese...((shudder))! I would much prefer this creamy delight Grace, it's perfect!

Leslie said...

Maggot cheese...hmmm.wonder if they sell that a whole foods?? lol

Amber said...

As far as salt and pepper shakers go, I would try antique stores.
And I haven't met too many cheesecakes that I didn't like.

Unknown said...

Hi Grace,

That looks lovely...I am following your lovely recipes now...:)

Dr.Sameena@

www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

Jeanne @ CookSister! said...

Cheesecake with a chocolate crust?! Your new name is Doctor Evil!! :o) But we like it, in a sneaky way ;-)

Gloria Baker said...

Grace this is to die for!!! Look amazing and fantastic! I love it! gloria

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Oh lordy yes tart fruits really go so great with sweet cheesecake. And the creamy texture, oh my. This looks so indulgent.

Lisa-Marie said...

raspberries, chocolate, cheesecake? Yum!

Deborah said...

I think I like just about everything, and cheesecake is definitely on my list of things that I love! This sounds amazing!

oneordinaryday said...

I like the idea of putting the fruit into the cheesecake so much better than that layer of fruit on top that you see so often. Sounds wonderful.

My Little Space said...

Hi Grace, thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. Your cheesecake looks really mouthwatering. Such smooth & creamy texture! Hmm...yumm... I am salivating! Thanks for sharing and wishing you a Happy Halloween. Have lots of fun! Hope to hear from you more often.
Cheers, Kristy

stephen said...

nooo way! how timely. I have a tub of polly o ricotta in my fridge that needs to be used up. It's a cheesy rainy weekend here in sf. thanks!

Mimi said...

Simply delicious. What a nice way to introduce us to your now mature taste buds!
Mimi

Lisa said...

A totally luscious looking cheesecake! Quite grown-up enough. Let's skip the haggis...then again, I think that might turn out to be a very amusing post.

Nic said...

I shouldn't be looking at this when it's breakfast time, but when you see a cheesecakes as gorgeous as this...!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I am so pleased you are finally coming around to the cheesecake! This is a gorgeous one.

MaryBeth said...

Love the cheesecake....it is wonderful looking.

tasteofbeirut said...

How can you do this to me? You know I can't resist any dessert with raspberries in it; this one with the frozen kind is even more appealing! I have found frozen berries to be fine when cooked; oh, my kids would kill for a slice of this cheesecake!

Anonymous said...

First a newfound appreciation for pumpkin... now cheesecake? Atta girl! This looks decadently wonderful!

Trissa said...

I have always been a fan of raspberries and cheesecake - you're right - the tartness of berries do cut the richness of the cheesecake.

cookies and cups said...

This sounds great! I will have to give this one a go :)

Susan at www.ugogrrl.com said...

This looks amazing - first time to visit your blog! I love it!

www.ugogrrl.com

eatme_delicious said...

I don't like fruit in desserts usually but this looks REALLY good! Mmm. I can never resist cheesecake.

Carolyn Jung said...

OK, if the cheesecake has fruit in it, I'm saying it's healthful to eat then. Yes, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;)

Baking Decorations said...

Can't go wrong with raspberry and cheesecake. Your pictures look stunning.