A Southern Grace: people pleaser

December 23, 2013

people pleaser

Yum

I like this cheesecake. Did you ever think you'd read those words on this blog?


I also like to make people happy, which might be why I'm spending my days making decadent and scrumptious treats for the general population. Pecan pie has become one of my favorite desserts both to make and eat, and while I've never particularly liked cheesecake (my loyal readers are nodding their heads), it seems that if you incorporate pecan pie, you create something that's magical and delicious and appeals to almost anyone.


I brought this to Thanksgiving with my boyfriend's family, and it was the first time they had gotten a taste of my baking. I think and hope they were impressed--the rate at which the cheesecake disappeared makes me think that was indeed the case. I helped consume it, of course, and I have to admit that I enjoyed every bite.

The super-creamy cheesecake portion is made infinitely better with the use of brown sugar instead of granulated sugar--it adds a note of caramel that's definitely noticeable and definitely tasty. The highlight for me is undoubtedly and unsurprisingly the pecan pie portion, which is sweet and crunchy and sticky and divine. I'm the kind of person who likes to save the best bite for last, and in this case, it's the piece of the cake that's mostly pecan pie, a little bit cheesecake, and a little bit crust.


Two shameless plugs: Speaking of pecans, I recently received some incredible cinnamon-spiced pecans from Billie's Pecans out of Crenshaw, Mississippi. They also offer items like various types of chocolate pecans, pecan brittle and toffee, and pepper jelly!

While I'm touting awesome companies, I need to mention Miss NiNi. This site can ship fine desserts ranging from cheesecakes to layer cakes and has many other delights available for pick-up if you happen to live near a shop. I was sent a cheesecake of my own creation and every bite of every quarter of it was devoured by my friends and family.

I want to wish everyone the merriest of merry Christmases! Be safe, have fun, and eat well!

Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Serves 10-12
Ingredients:
Crust:
  • 1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
Pecan Filling:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cheesecake Filling:
  • 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
To make the crust, first preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine cracker crumbs and brown sugar and stir in melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9″ springform pan. Bake for 8 minutes; set aside to cool. Once it's cool, wrap the pan with three layers of foil to keep out the water from the water bath.
To make the pecan filling, combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into the baked crust and set aside.
To make the cheesecake filling, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in cream and vanilla. Pour over pecan filling.
Place the pan in a water bath such that the water comes about halfway up the sides of the pan(s) and bake 65 to 75 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool in the oven for 1 hour before removing to fridge. Chill cheesecake at least 6 hours or overnight before serving. To get supremely smooth slices, freeze the cheesecake for about half an hour before attempting to cut into it. Use a warm, thin, long blade for best results.



33 comments:

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

I love cheesecake because it means I can snack on graham crackers during the process!

Alicia Foodycat said...

Unlike you, I love most homemade cheesecakes, but this one does sound extra special!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

How could I resist!!!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

This cheesecake is too much, I would eat it all in a day :D

Happy Holidays!
CCU

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

This cheesecake is too much, I would eat it all in a day :D

Happy Holidays!
CCU

Erica said...

Two of my favorite desserts together! This is heaven on a plate!Happy holidays,Grace!

Blond Duck said...

Perfection on a plate!

~~louise~~ said...

What a GREAT idea to switch out the sugars Grace. It makes so much sense especially in this recipe where you want that caramel touch.

I'm sure your boyfriend's family was impressed. I'm more than impressed and I haven't even tasted it, yet, lol...

Thank you so much for sharing, Grace...Sending you and yours Joyous Christmas Wishes Grace. Enjoy each and every moment:) Louise

Angie's Recipes said...

Looks divine! The texture is perfectly smooth and light.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year:)

Joanne said...

If even you can proclaim your love for this cheesecake, then it must be a winner. I kind of want to inhale it.

pam said...

This looks amazing! Happy Holidays!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I would indulge in your dessert. Merry Christmas.

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

This has to be the best variation of a cheese cake that I have ever heard of! I must go drool over some of Miss Nini's desserts some more :)

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

As a pecan pie AND cheesecake lover, I would go bonkers over this dessert. Hope you had a lovely Christmas!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Pecan pie cheesecake..this sounds incredible :) I am so ready to eat this!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

Wow -- this looks amazingly yummy. I like cheesecake and I adore pecan pie, so I'm pretty sure I'd love this combination!

Rosita Vargas said...

Un lujo de cheesecake se ve muy irresistible me encanta,Abrazos y Feliz Año Nuevo abrazos y abrazos.

Jackie@Syrup and Biscuits said...

Pecan Pie Cheesecake. There's no way in this world it can be bad. It looks divine, Grace!

Caroline Taylor said...

Love the sound of this, two great desserts in one!

lisa is cooking said...

Hooray for a cheesecake you like! The pecan filling looks delicious. Happy early New Year!

Blond Duck said...

I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas!

~~louise~~ said...

Oh my word, not once but twice you are teasing me with that cheesecake! Happy New Year, Grace. May it be filled with all the goodness of health and happiness!!!

Carolyn Jung said...

I'll take any cheesecake you don't want. LOL
Happy New Year!

Beth said...

This sounds fantastic. What a great recipe to end the year with! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.

I Wilkerson said...

Now really, is there anything that pecans wouldn't make better? I have just learned that there is a pecan tree that is hardy in Wisconsin. Guess what is on my wish list for this summer! A belated Merry Christmas!

Lisa-Marie said...

Well, I can see why you like it! Yum! And HappyNew Year!

sprinklesandsauce said...

Like this pecan pie cheesecake recipe! Haven't had a cheesecake in a while!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

What a decadent dessert. I love pecan pie…topping it what cheesecake sounds delicious.

Maureen said...

I was brought to your site by the pics and love the recipe and commentary. But I was really put off by the soft porn "League of Angels" action ad running on the right side of the site. Don't think I'm a prude, but what does stuff like that have to do with a cooking blog? Yikes!

grace said...

@Maureen: thanks for bringing that to my attention--i'm appalled and am taking care of it immediately!

Lucy @ Lucyeats said...

Good job! I can see why it went so quickly!

Katie said...

Stop.. pecan pie cheesecake? Genius! I need to make this ASAP

Unknown said...

As I am in a "baking mode" this is definitely on my list, but only for a few close friends..... and ME!! Tks for this.