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View Full Version : Wow! Barefoot Contessa's Cheesecake


mbrogier
05-11-2005, 05:49 PM
I am not a huge cheesecake fan. I know a good cheesecake when I taste it, but I don't go out of my way to eat them. I decided that I should know how to make a good cheesecake. Since I had a springform pan, why not?

I had tried a few as a teen, but they came out all cracked and overbaked. I had used a recipe in the Philadelphia cream cheese cookbook, and it tastes pretty good. I was going to make it again, but I came across the Raspberry Cheesecake in the "Families" cookbook and decided to try it minus the Raspberry topping.

It is fabulous. It isn't too thick and gunky. It is light and custardy, tall, and it holds together well. The graham cracker crust isn't too sweet, which I hate. It is also a mostly cream cheese custard. There is only 1/4 cup of sour cream. I didn't get much cracking, just around the sides. I think it was from a bit of overbeating and thermal shock. Ina doesn't do a waterbath, but I think the bath might keep the cracks from forming.
This is definitely a keeper cheesecake. It was pretty and tastes good all by itself. I still am partial to cheesecake with cherry topping. ;)

I also want to try a turtle cheesecake, a key lime cheesecake, and a secret I'm making it up in my head cheesecake. (will post if I figure it out)

So, if anyone lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago...I have lots of cheesecake! :D

Canice
05-11-2005, 06:03 PM
Thanks for the review! I have the book right here on my desk, and it looks pretty painless (for those of us who don't really enjoy baking). I'll give it a try.

MISSINDI
05-11-2005, 08:10 PM
Sounds like a good one - I'll have to dig out the cookbook and give it a whirl. Also in her Family Style cookbook, the other night, my son and I made the Jam Thumbprint Cookies - another excellent recipe. She uses the shortbread base from Eli Zabar, and the cookies were a big hit. 'Course with 3 sticks of butter for 39 cookies, that's really no surprise. ;)

mbrogier
05-11-2005, 10:43 PM
I saw the cookies on your blog. They looked so good. I have to use pectin free jams because of my apple allergy.

I don't think I've had a bad Ina anything.

MISSINDI
05-12-2005, 04:58 AM
Originally posted by mbrogier
I don't think I've had a bad Ina anything.

Yup, I'd have to agree. Not a bad one in the bunch.

funniegrrl
05-12-2005, 10:58 AM
Would someone who has this in electronic copy be so kind as to post it? :D

shopsticks
05-12-2005, 11:02 AM
I made the jam thumbprint cookies for Christmas. Everyone loved them! I'll have to try the cheesecake next.

MISSINDI
05-12-2005, 11:07 AM
Found her Raspberry Cheesecake online on Oprah's site (from the magazine). Picture looks gorgeous. Still looking for the original one for you.

http://images.oprah.com/foodhome/food/recipes/images/food_20021015_cheesecake_125.jpg
http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/recipes/food_20021015_cheesecake.jhtml

lirpa
05-13-2005, 02:09 PM
I've made her cheesecake recipe several times. I really love the taste, however, have found that when I follow the recipe, my cheesecake takes a lot (a whole lot) longer to cook as compared to the time she provides. I even went out to buy an oven thermometer after the first time I made the cheesecake because of the extended cooking time. My oven was fine, and my springform pan was the size called for in the recipe. I still enjoy and continue to make the recipe, however, my cooking time is significantly extended. Does anyone else have that problem?

mbrogier
05-13-2005, 04:49 PM
Mine was ready right on time. I even used a timer.

Missindi, The Raspberry is her cheesecake recipe. I just didn't make the topping. Rob isn't a huge raspberry fan. We both prefer cherry. The filling is a good standard cheesecake recipe.

dlaboriel
05-13-2005, 04:57 PM
Thanks for posting the recipe, Missindi. I have looked for this but could not find it.

MISSINDI
05-14-2005, 07:30 PM
Originally posted by dlaboriel
Thanks for posting the recipe, Missindi. I have looked for this but could not find it.

No problem -- it looks really delicious. :D

mbrogier
05-14-2005, 09:18 PM
It really is. I've lost my sweet tooth. Most desserts don't really appeal to me anymore. I'll eat a piece, thoroughly enjoy it, and never touch the dessert again.

I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STAY OUT OF THIS!!!

did I mention I'm not a huge cheesecake fan?