Cheesecake Pecan Pie Make Ahead Food

CHEESECAKE PECAN PIE (MAKE AHEAD!)

Steps:

• First make the pie crust.* Note: this pie crust recipe makes 2 crusts and you only need one, so you can freeze one for later.
• Measure out 1/4 cup water into a glass measuring cup and stick it in the freezer.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
• Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut in the butter and Crisco. Cut until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don't overdo it!
• In a small bowl beat one egg. Pour out half (into the sink or into another container, or heck, into a frying pan). You can just eyeball it. I know this is annoying, but it makes for SUCH a tender crust!
• Add the half beaten egg to the cold water that you put in the freezer. Beat it together, then add it to the butter mixture. Stir until it is just coming together, then use your hands to knead it once or twice (only to make it come together). Divide the dough in half. Shape one half into a disk and put it in a ziplock bag in your freezer for the next time you make this pie.
• Roll out the remaining dough on a well-floured surface. I love to use my pastry cloth.
• Spray a 9-inch pie pan with nonstick spray. Roll the dough loosely on the rolling pin to transfer to the pie pan. Fold the edges under and crimp/shape the crust however you want. Place the formed crust in the fridge while you make the other stuff.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make the cheesecake layer. In a stand mixer or medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/4 cup sugar and beat. Add 1 egg and beat well, scraping sides. Don't over beat, just mix until it is well combined.
• Carefully spread the cheesecake mixture into the bottom of the pie crust and spread to the edges.
• Clean the bowl or get a different one. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the bowl. Add 2/3 cup sugar and mix.
• Add dark corn syrup and mix.
• Add 2 eggs and beat well. I just used a spoon to mix.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• Fold in pecans.
• CAREFULLY use a SPOON to GENTLY add the pecan mixture on top of the cheesecake layer. DO NOT pour it. I made this mistake the first time I made this, and it mixed the cheesecake and pecan layer too much. It still tastes fine, but doesn't present as well.
• Cover the edge of the pie crust with aluminum foil to keep it from browning. I do this by getting a square of foil the size of the pie, then fold in quarters, then cut out the middle, then unfold. You should have a square of aluminum foil with a large circle cut out. Cover the crust with it.
• Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes, until the pie is mostly set. It can be a little wiggly in the 3-4 inches in the very center of the pie, but if the whole pie is shaking, leave it in longer.
• Let cool for 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge. Chill for 3 hours before serving.
• Serve with whipped cream and this amazing Caramel Sauce.

CHEESECAKE PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients; beat at low speed until smooth.
• Pour into pastry shell; sprinkle with pecans.
• Combine 3 eggs and remaining ingredients, mixing well.
• Spoon over pecan layer.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until set.

PECAN-PIE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter the inside of the springform pan.
• Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter, sugar and salt, and pulse until the mixture comes together and holds its shape when squeezed. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, and press it into the bottom to make an even layer. Bake until the crust is just firm, about 10 minutes. Remove and let cool completely. Place the pan on a large piece of foil, and fold the foil up the sides of the pan. (This helps seal the pan, to keep water out while baking.)
• For the filling: Wipe out the food processor. Pulse the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until completely smooth, without any lumps, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Add the eggs and vanilla, and pulse until incorporated. Pour the filling into the crust, and set the pan inside a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with enough hot water to go halfway up the sides of the springform pan (but not above the foil).
• Bake the cheesecake until the edge is set but the center jiggles slightly (when you gently shake the pan, the cheesecake should move in a cohesive wave motion), 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off, and open the door for a few seconds to let out some heat. Close the door, and let the cheesecake sit in the oven until cooked completely through, 1 hour more.
• Transfer the springform pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge, and let the cheesecake cool to room temperature. Wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
• For the topping: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet, and bake until they turn a few shades darker and are nicely toasted, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then halve each pecan lengthwise.
• Meanwhile, heat the cream, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until just steaming. Reduce the heat to low to keep the cream mixture warm.
• Cook the sugar in an even layer in a medium skillet over medium heat, without stirring, until it begins to melt. Gently swirl the pan as needed as the sugar continues to melt and begins to caramelize and turn lightly golden in spots. Keep cooking and swirling until the caramel is a uniform deep amber. Remove from the heat, and slowly whisk in the warm cream mixture (watch out for ferocious bubbles). Return the caramel sauce to medium heat, and cook to reduce slightly, about 2 minutes. Let cool. To see if the sauce is ready for topping the cheesecake, dip a spoon into it and let the sauce drop off; it's ready if it easily and slowly drips off the spoon. (The sauce can be refrigerated up to 2 days; reheat in the microwave.)
• To assemble: Spoon the sauce into the center of the cheesecake, and let it ooze to the edge. If needed, swirl the sauce with the back of a spoon to help it along. Sprinkle the pecans in a generous layer over the sauce. The cheesecake can now be served or refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
• To slice the cake, dip a sharp, heavy knife into warm water, wipe the knife dry and slice into the cake. Wipe the knife clean and repeat.

PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crust.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Combine wafer crumbs and brown sugar.
• Stir in melted butter.
• Press into bottom and up sides of a 9″ springform pan.
• Bake for 6 minutes.
• Set aside to cool.
• Pecan Filling.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Pour into crust and set aside.
• Cheesecake Filling.
• Reduce oven to 325°.
• With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
• Add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.
• Stir in cream and vanilla.
• Pour over pecan filling.
• Bake for 1 hour.
• Turn off oven and leave cheesecake in oven with the door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven and run a knife along the outside edges to loosen cheesecake from sides of pan.
• Let cool.
• Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press evenly into bottom and halfway up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6-8 minutes; set aside to cool.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Add 1/2 cup light brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to bubble and sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in dark corn syrup, 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans, eggs, vanilla extract and salt. Pour into prepared crust; set aside.
• In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, 1 cup light brown sugar and flour until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Add 1 cup heavy cream and stir until well combined. Pour over pecan pie filling and place springform pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 60-70 minutes until cake jiggles slightly when moved or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn off oven and leave cake in for 1 hour, then remove from oven and let cool completely.
• To Make the Pecan Topping:
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cook until bubbling, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, 1/3 cup heavy cream and pinch of salt. Let cool to room temperature then spoon over.
• cooled cheesecake. Slice to serve or store refrigerated.

CHEESECAKE PECAN PIE

Steps:

• Beat together, cream cheese, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Spread over pie crust.
• Sprinkle with pecans.
• Beat 3 eggs in a large bowl until frothy.
• Add corn syrup, 1/4 cup sugar, salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Beat again.
• Pour over pecans gently.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

SOUTHERN PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Thaw pecan pie according to package directions.
• Cut evenly into 20 thin slices, keeping wedges intact, and set aside.
• Line the outside of a 10-inch springform pan tightly with foil.
• Stir together cracker crumbs and next 3 ingredients; press mixture onto bottom and 1 1/2-inches up sides of a 10-inch springform pan.
• Arrange 10 pecan pie wedges in a spoke design in prepared pan, placing 1 cut side of each wedge on crust with narrow end towards center of pan.
• Reserve remaining pecan pie wedges for another use.
• Beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
• Add sour cream, half-and-half, and vanilla; beat until blended.
• Fold in powdered sugar and flour.
• Carefully pour cream cheese mixture evenly over pecan pie wedges in pan, making sure wedges remain in place.
• Arrange pecan halves evenly around edge.
• Bake at 325° for 50 minutes in a water bath.
• Turn off oven, and let cheesecake stand in oven 1 hour.
• Remove to a wire rack, and let cool completely.
• Chill at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.
• Note: Baking in a water bath means that you set the cheesecake in a roasting pan filled with about an inch of water.
• The foil should keep the water out.