May 26 is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Today, Thursday, May 26 is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day. The earliest known cheesecake was documented by the Greeks nearly 2500 years ago, with today’s versions being slightly different. Add a bunch of blueberries, and this already delicious dessert becomes nothing short of spectacular!
Below you will find two recipes for blueberry cheesecake that will delight your taste buds and send you back for seconds, if there are any left. Enjoy!
The Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence
Yield:6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Crust: 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
Filling: 1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 pint sour cream 1 lemon, zested
1 dash vanilla extract
Warm Lemon Blueberries (Used in Topping): 1 pint blueberries 1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons sugar
Directions
Filling:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
For the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.
For the Filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not overbeaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.
Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.
Warm Lemon Blueberries Topping:
In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.
Blueberry Cheesecake
Yield 10 to 12
Ingredients
For crust 2 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
For filling 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 cup all purpose flour 5 large eggs 1 16-ounce container sour cream 1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For topping 1/3 cup all-fruit blueberry spread
2 6-ounce baskets fresh blueberries or 12-ounce package frozen blueberries, thawed, drained
Preparation
Make crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Wrap outside of 10-inch-diameter springform pan with heavy-duty foil. Combine all ingredients in processor. Blend using on/off turns just until crumbs are moist. Press crumb mixture firmly onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of prepared pan. Bake until crust begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer crust to rack and cool. Maintain oven temperature.
Make filling: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until will blended. Beat in flour. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until combined. Beat in sour cream, milk and vanilla. Pour filling into crust.
Place springform pan in large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come 1 inch up sides of pan. Bake cheesecake until just set in center and top is slightly puffed and golden brown, about 1 hour. Turn off oven; keep door closed. Let cheesecake stand in oven 1 hour. Remove cheesecake from roasting pan. Refrigerate until cold, at least 6 hours. Cover; refrigerate overnight.
Make topping: Stir blueberry spread in large skillet over low heat until melted. Remove from heat. Add blueberries; toss to coat. Spoon blueberry mixture over top of cake, spreading evenly. Chill until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
Run small sharp knife around sides of cake to loosen. Release pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Cut into wedges.
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