Sunday, April 20, 2008

Lion House Cheesecake


{sorry i couldn't pick which one looked yummier!! -kristen}

This is the world's best cheesecake! I tweaked it a little bit for Liz's birthday luau but the basic recipe is from the Lion House restaurant in Salt Lake City.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 T sugar
6 T butter or margarine, melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 t vanilla

Directions:
Mix graham cracker crumbs, 3 T sugar and melted butter. Press into 10-inch deep-dish pie pan or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
Start the filling by beating the cream cheese on high for a couple minutes in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup sugar a little at a time, followed by 3 eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well. Pour filling into the crust and bake for 55 to 60 minutes at 300 degrees.

How I tweaked it:
a) My family always adds 1/2 t almond flavoring or extract. Gives it a little something extra. And I always use Neufatchel cheese instead of cream cheese. It's really pretty much the same texture and flavor, maybe even a little fluffier, but with a lot less fat. Cause I like to have my cake and eat it too! ;)
b) The luau version was topped with fruit and an apricot glaze. It looks fancy but it's super easy! Go nuts w/ the fruit....the glaze goes like this: In a small sauce pan dissolve 3 heaping tablespoons of apricot preserves and 4-5 tablespoons of sugar into 1/2 cup water over high heat. Let it bubble until thickened and drizzle over the top!

6 comments:

kristen said...

yum yum yum! i still can't believe you arranged that fruit so beautifully!

Meredith said...

That cheesecake looks AMAZING! So fresh and professionally done. Cute cupcakes in back too, so bummed we couldn't make it!

Liz said...

this was so delicious!! thanks for the great party and delicious cheesecake! (and kabobs and salad and cupcakes...etc.)

Steph said...

Beautiful cheescake! Wow, the fruit and the color is amazing! I'm sure it tastes even better too!

erika said...

My goodness that looks delicious. I LOVE cheesecake!

erika said...
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