………………………..Jac made the most delicious cheesecake….I have missed it so much…….One day I started going through her receipt books and lo and behold there it was right on top. I knew Jac left it there for me to find……..all I had to do was look…………….This is my 4th cheesecake and I must say they all have been really good, not quite as good as Jac’s because her hands didn’t make it, but it’s definitely Jac’s cheesecake. If your interested here’s Jac’s receipt:
The Graham Cracker crust:
Mix all of the following in one bowl until crumbly. Then press into bottom and sides of spring form pan [9″ round spring form pan]. Make sure the crumbs come high enough on sides for the batter.
1 3/4 cups of fine Graham Cracker crumbs
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
Batter. Mix in one bowl. Preheat oven to 350 degrees:
Soften 16 oz of cream cheese to room temperature [I use the classic Philadelphia Brand, and smash it with a fork in the bowl]
PRESS 3 cups of 1% cottage cheese [small curd] through a sieve into bowl with cream cheese
Beat 4 eggs then add to bowl, and beat all together with blender
Add 1 cup sugar while beating
add 1 teasp vanilla while beating
Mix well until creamy
Pour into pan and cook for 1 hour or a little over.
Turn oven off and open door. Let it cool in oven for 5 to 10 minutes then take out and put on rack to completely cool. Once it is totally cool put saran on top and put in refrigerator. If you make in the morning you can eat that night or else it’s better to wait until next day. You may have to take a sharp knife and run it along side of pan if crust sticks…….I like to eat it with cut up strawberries and a good dollop of home made whipped cream!!!!! YUM!!!!!!!!
With all of this free time on our hands this would be a lovely treat for you and the family…………………Me…….I’m going to eat the WHOLE THING!…………..enjoy………………much Love………….Louis
I looked at some recipes online, just to make sure, and they did 25 Oreo cookies and 5 tablespoons of melted butter. I don’t think I have used butter, but, in my opinion, butter makes everything better! So, that’s what I would do. When I make Jac’s this weekend, I’m going to use vanilla wafers for the crust. I work at the VA hospital in Biloxi, MS. We have a lot of training about how to care for people with contagious diseases. The problem, this time, is the possibility of not having enough supplies. That is unimaginable to me, what nurses all over the country are going through. And not just nurses, but respiratory therapists and doctors. The volume of patients, and the lack of supplies needed. It IS like a horror movie.
Thanks Sylvia….that is good info. I’m making mine on Sat so it has time to sit over night. I don’t remember if I said but I’m adding 1 cup of chocolate bits to the batter too!……I can’t imagine what it would be like to go to work each day under such dangerous circumstances, and having to fight against a hidden enemy…..take good care of yourself, and I know you will do everything possible to stay safe. Let’s pray this nightmare runs its’ course sooner rather than later.
Louis! When you do the Oreo crust, you just crush the cookies in the blender, The filling makes it stick together, you don’t need anything else to add to it. I decided to make Jac’s cheesecake for Easter, I have all the ingredients on my online Neighborhood Walmart list to get picked up this week. We are practicing social distancing as much as possible. I have been relocated in my hospital back to ICU. I worked in there for 32 years, then I did Oncology Case Management for 3 years. Hopefully we won’t run out of supplies. We already know we are running low on some things. We may be using garbage bags if we run out of isolation gowns. ;-(. Hopefully this will all be over soon, and I’ll get to wear my Linea to work again… ( oh, and I like the beard)
Dear Sylvia….thank you so much for the tip on the Oreo crust! I wouldn’t have made it correctly! That will my treat to myself for Easter since I am forced to be alone…….What hospital in which city are you working? I know I don’t have to tell you to be very careful. It must be thought consuming for you and everyone else working on the front lines today…..This is all so unbelievable. It’s like some horrific movie has come to life. I can’t wait for it to be completely over. Take care of yourself!!!
Louis, all the Samburu Shell jewelry is posted! It’s lovely! Very pretty, perfect! I posted it on the Forums! oxoxox Cat
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! We’re in strict isolation here, although not ill, and I have no cottage cheese so it will have to wait for a happy day to celebrate. I’ve been searching for a cheesecake recipe to duplicate one we used to buy outside Philadelphia … it was fluffy, yet melted on your tongue, and a bit less sweet yet so delicious. Even the bakery couldn’t track that recipe down, although I tried. I’m wondering if this might come close, with the cottage cheese!
For those cooking from a pantry and no graham crackers or crumbs: While it wouldn’t be Jac’s cheesecake anymore, most cheesecakes can be made without a crust at all, or using cookie crumbs such as vanilla wafers or even (yum) Oreo cookie crumbs. Just use the crumbs, the butter, and adjust sugar and spices as desired; Oreo won’t need the sugar or spice; has enough of its’ own 🙂
Louis, your fashion laugh for the day: Walter ventured out to curbside pickup up of medicines from our friend who’s a pharmacist. Not only did he pack it all, he came out just before closing and put the package on the car hood, then stayed out to visit for a bit, through the closed window. I sent Walter out in a makeshift homemade mask based on instructions from our daughter … the outer layer of which was the ugliest cotton sheet I’ve ever seen, covered in hideous brown and orange plaid and dogs all over LOL. No, no photos, but it was memorable. He says if he has to go out in a mask again, he’s shaving his beard …. no one has seen that handsome chin in 40 + years; our daughter has NEVER seen him without …. this could get more interesting yet 🙂 Stay well all!
Wow Cathy….that is a momentous occasion! 40 years! Did Walter have a beard when you met him? What made him decide to grow it and leave it for so long, and why does he want to shave it now? He is going to look like a kid, and his skin is going to be like a baby since it’s not been in the sun for so long! Since I can’t get my hair cut I’ve decided to let my beard grow. I’ve had one twice before. I must say it grows in well…..The first time it was black. I loved it, everyone loved it except for Jac….so the beard went bye bye. The second time I was already at QVC and it grew in salt and pepper in a good way. I thought it was very distinguished looking. Again, everyone loved it, the models loved it….but again, Jac said no. She said she “wanted to see my handsome face” and not kiss this prickly face!…..Well now that we are in isolation I thought I’d give it another try. In a month I should look like Grizzly Adams! LOL Long hair and all. It is certainly new for me……….So…when you do the Oreo cookie crust [I’m very interested]. I’m assuming it is made with the regular Oreos. What do you do with the filling? Scrape, it off?? You and Walter stay well!!
I used Pillsbury Banana Bread mix & I add usually a 1/2 Cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips & a 1/2 Cup of chopped walnuts. Most times I make muffins.
Jac’s cheesecake sounds delicious!! I will buy the ingredients when I can get to the grocery store. (I’m in that susceptible group, so I go as little as I can) It is one dessert that I can make for a gluten-free friend….just substituting gluten-free graham crackers for the crust. With a food processor, I can make crumbs in a flash. Being home for the foreseeable future, your blog is a “breath of spring”….much appreciated and enjoyed. Thank you, thank you. Stay well and enjoy your and Jac’s beautiful gardens.
Dear Louis, thank you for sharing Jac’s recipe. It sounds so delicious. I have been baking up a storm for my sister and her husband in California. I was only supposed to stay a short time, but now mom and I are sheltered in place. I have been shopping your beautiful fashions of course and will have to have additional luggage to get home. I will make the cheesecake for Easter dinner. I did get to plant pansies for her. They are beautiful. Hmmm, I may have to get another Jac’s garden blouse today. Thank you, thank you Louis!
Dear Carolyn…..R the blouses still on sale?????…..if so now is the time to get one, and Spring is here! My daffodils are all opening. In a day or two they should be in full bloom. All we need is a little SUN! I’ll take pics and post!
Louis, under the present circumstances a little piggy is more than OK. That’s my philosophy and I’m sticking to it!
Thank you for giving us Jac’s cheesecake recipe! That does sound like a tempting indulgence, but with being homebound I’m not sure I could be prudent in how much I would eat either! I was on a cookie making binge as I just feel so happy and content making cookies, but with the cold weather we are still having, I ate too many. Oh well, the weather is supposed to be better today so I will go for a walk and start my first spring gardening chores…pruning and starting the perennial clean up that was supposed to have been done last fall when winter decided to start early. My tulips are peaking out a bit and I am planning additions to my garden. More lilacs this year! How is your garden coming along? Hugs to you!
Lilacs….yes….another one of Jac’s favorite flowers….mine too. We have planted Lilac buses where ever we can. There wasn’t one time when we went somewhere, came home, and Jac would stop to smell them…..My garden is bursting! When the sun comes out!!! I will take pictures of the daffodils………….
Dear Louis, Jac’s cheesecake looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing this luscious (I’m sure) recipe. This week is our official Spring Break, so this is a treat I will enjoy making, actually I was introduced to cheesecake by my husband 42 years ago and I love it. I live in Washington state and even though we are teaching via internet, I wear your gorgeous clothing and I just ordered the new double breasted jacket in white. Thank you so much for making designer clothing accessible.
Dear Theresa, you must tell me how you liked the cheese cake when you make it. I had my first piece tonight with cut up strawberries, and it was SOOOOO GOOD. I really have to restrain myself! LOL….Let me know how you like the blazer too!
Then, I don’t think eating the whole thing is a good idea. Just mail it to me !!!!😊 in that case just keep half for you and the girls and I’ll share the other half with
my little girl. I’m on a very boring diet to control my LDL level, but my doc said every time I loose another 10 lbs. I can have a treat!!! Any treat I choose, but only one piece of cake , pie , cookie , etc. I guess he’s into moderation.
Is a springform pan used for this? Or a regular 9″ cake pan? Looks very good. I make a banana bread quick bread mix today & added mini chocolate chips to the mix (1/2) cup. Just to have a snack with coffee or tea.
spring pan. What’s the mix. I made onion dip with sour cream and the Liptons onion dip mix….yummy
spring pan
Your recent post says the next time at QVC will be Monday March 23 2020 at 1:00 am
Big MISTAKE!!!!!!It’s the 31st QVC1 at 1am
I love your can do attitude in the kitchen!
And I love the addition of strawberries and whipped cream. Almost like a cheesecake sundae. Do you have any nuts and chocolate sauce to go with it?
Nope…the strawberries and whipped cream are enough for my waist!
That looks really good! Cottage cheese, that’s interesting. Thanks.
Dear designista, Jac said the the cottage keeps the cheese cake from getting too heavy and it’s less fattening, but who’s kidding who….She still rationed it out to me. Now I can have as much as I want…..but….I hear Jac say to me “take yourself in hand”…..That’s what she always said when I was overdoing it and being a piggy…..Under these circumstances a little piggy is OK.
Now that’s what I call comfort food. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds scrumptious!! Thank you for sharing this special recipe. 😊
Louis, I love it that you made this! Thank you so much for sharing. I was surprised to see the cottage cheese ingredient, and I thank Jac for this healthy component. By the way, I now have purchased two of Jac’s garden blouses and I am thinking about adding the black as a third. Thank you for sharing your love of Jac in all of these ways. You and Jac have opened my eyes to the beauty of those spring flowers. And your remembrances of her in your life and creations are very inspiring to those of us who have lost a dear loved one. Peace and positive thoughts be with you all.
YUM!!!
Thank you for sharing!
Always love Jac’s recipes. Thank you so much for sharing.