Homemade Cherry or Blueberry Cheesecake

[ET]

This is not hard to make at all because if I can do it anybody can. I very seldom eat dessert but if one of two desserts appear after a good meal it’s a “I gotta have”.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
¼ cup melted margarine or butter
8” x 11” baking dish

1-package of Philadelphia cream cheese (diet or regular) 250grams (8.8 ounces).
2-pkg Dream Whip
1-teaspoon of vanilla
¼ cup sugar
1-cup milk

1-can Cherry or Blueberry pie filling 540ml (18.25oz)

Step 1
I usually start by making the base with Graham Cracker Crumbs. Put crumbs in baking dish and mix with melted butter or margarine. I know it calls for a ¼ cup but I usually add an extra level tablespoon of butter or margarine. Once you see a sort of even dampness you simply try to spread it out evenly in the dish and press it down to sort of firm it. Okay now toss it in the fridge for an hour or into the freezer for 20-minutes to help firm it up.



Step 2

Now to the main cheesecake body, 2-packages of dream whip and cup of milk into the bowl. Mix with electric hand mixer for about a minute and then add sugar and vanilla and continue mixing for about another 2-1/2-minutes. Next cube the Philly cream cheese into about 10 smaller chunks, toss into bowl and mix for another 3-minutes. The electric hand mixer I usually set at medium speed for all mixing operations.
Then it’s time to retrieve the baking dish and pour this mixture on top. Try to evenly spread it out and back into fridge or freezer for a bit.



Step 3

Retrieve the baking dish and now comes the hard part. Open can and pour out chosen pie filling over top. Spread it as evenly as possible with a light touch. Then back into the fridge for a recommended 3-4hrs. The reason this is the hard part for me is because I want a sample piece ASAP, so the freezer wins again with a 45min set time.

End result


And If I don’t expect company this is what happens after 45-minutes for a first taste.



Just a little side note, I was introduced to this dish almost 30-years ago and it still affects me with it’s taste. ;D

Enjoy

Ed

[cfvickers]

Gonna be using this one!

[whelenman]

Looks good!!!

[whelenman]

One dumb question. Is this stuff just kept refrigerated after the 3-4 hr. time in the freezer or is it kept frozen? I ask this because mine just went in the freezer for a wait. You always seem to come up with stuff that looks good. I may lose my man card if I keep cooking for the wife.

[ET]

Jan 24, 2010 13:37:20 GMT -5 whelenman said:

One dumb question. Is this stuff just kept refrigerated after the 3-4 hr. time in the freezer or is it kept frozen? I ask this because mine just went in the freezer for a wait. You always seem to come up with stuff that looks good. I may lose my man card if I keep cooking for the wife.

This is meant to be kept in the fridge and not freezer. Short exposure to freezing temps is to speed up the cooling process for this dish.

I wouldn't worry about loosing the man card as much as my manly figure having too much of a good thing. ;D
For any extended time like in days I recommend covering with clear plastic wrap to retain moisture. Around here the plastic wrap is seldom used for the short life span of this dessert.

Ed

[whelenman]

The cheesecake came out good. We're down to only two small pieces which will disappear with the last of the venison stew tonight. I got all the ingredients together but then discover that I didn't have the proper size pan. All I had was one much bigger so I increased the graham crackers and butter by about 50 percent. I only had one can of the topping and it had to stretch a lot further. I think it will be better next time if I make it with two cans of the topping. The more dessert the better I think. It was really good as is. I'm thinking about trying the same recipe but putting some lemon pie filling (I love lemon pies) as the second layer and then putting the dream whip and cream cheese layer on top. I like experimenting. This recipe is also very low calories what with the butter, suger, cream cheese, topping, etc. and will help me lose weight. Yeah, I keep telling myself that so I'll believe it. Thanks for the good desserts this week.

[Douglas]

Sounds good!! printed this for the wife to try.