Almost Outback Cheesecake Food

THE BEST NEW YORK-STYLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar and salt in a medium bowl until evenly moistened.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Cool completely on a rack. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cream, beating until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the lemon zest and juice, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined, taking care not to over whip. Pour into the crust.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the side of the foil-wrapped springform pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center still jiggles slightly, about 2 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a rack. Run a knife around the edges and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Dip a knife in warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece.

RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the crust, combine the graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until moistened. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and about 1-inch up the sides. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
• To make the filling, cream the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs and egg yolks, 2 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven temperature down to 225 degrees F and bake for another 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and open the door wide. The cake will not be completely set in the center. Allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door open for 30 minutes. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature for another 2 to 3 hours, until completely cooled. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving.
• To make the topping, melt the jelly in a small pan over low heat. In a bowl, toss the raspberries and the warm jelly gently until well mixed. Arrange the berries on top of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Note: Measure your springform pan. The bottom of mine measures 9 inches, but it says 9 1/2. I put the springform pan on a sheet pan before putting it in the oven to catch any leaks.

EASY 5-MINUTE ALMOST CHEESECAKE DESSERT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (oven rack set to lowest bottom position).
• Grease an 8 x 8-inch square baking dish.
• In the baking dish melt the butter inside the oven.
• Remove from oven; sprinkle the cracker crumbs in the melted butter, stir well; press on the bottom of the baking dish to form a crust.
• Bake the graham crust in a 350 degree oven for 7 minutes; remove and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream and lemon juice.
• Spread evenly over the crumb/crust.
• Spoon the pie filling evenly over the cream layer (don't worry if it sinks a bit, it will all bake together).
• Bake on lowest oven rack for 25-30 minutes, or until set (don't over bake).
• Serve warm or chill overnight (this will firm up and develop in flavor if left in the refrigerator overnight).
• ** This dessert is very good so you might want to consider doubling it -- this can be easily doubled and baked in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan, double the canned pie filling too and bake it for just a couple minutes longer.

ALMOST OUTBACK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly spray 9 inch springform pan with butter flavored cooking spray. Set aside.
• Beat eggs in large bowl until frothy. Blend in sugar, flour, and cornstarch. Add remaining ingredients, blending well after each addition. Blend until smooth. Pour into springform pan (it will be VERY full).
• Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees. (Cake will be set on the edges and glossy in the center.) Turn oven off and leave cake to cool for 1 hour with the door open. Remove from pan and refrigerate.
• Top with your favorite sauce or decorate with chocolate curls or fruit slices.
• Note: Cooling the cheesecake thoroughly makes it taste that much better and it is easier to slice.