Western Cheesecake Recipes

SOUTHWEST COWBOY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• Combine the crushed chips and butter and press into a 9" springform pan.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Set aside to cool.
• In large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until fluffy.
• Beat in the salt and eggs, one at a time until smooth.
• Fold in the shredded cheese and green chilies.
• Pour into the prepared crust and bake for 30 minutes.
• Combine the sour cream and taco seasoning and pour over the hot cheesecake.
• Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate overnight.
• Just before serving, garnish decoratively with the diced and chopped vegetables.
• A spiral pattern works nicely.
• Serve with accompanying salsa.

THE BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Put the butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and melt in the microwave in 10-second increments. Brush a 9-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter.
• Stir together the remaining butter with the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan, taking care to get the crust evenly to the edges. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool. Place the pan on a large sheet of foil and wrap up the sides. Place in a roasting pan.
• For the cheesecake: Beat together the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Mix in the eggs by hand, one at a time, until just combined. (Take care not to overmix or the cheesecake will puff up and crack.) Pour the batter evenly over the crust, smoothing the top. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan once more and unlock to unmold the cheesecake. Transfer to a serving platter or cake stand and smooth the edges with a knife.

OUR BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Top with pie filling before serving.

NORTHWEST CHEESECAKE SUPREME

Steps:

• Combine crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar and margarine, press onto bottom of 9-inch spring form pan.
• Bake at 325 degrees F., 10 minutes.
• Combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and flour, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
• Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Blend in sour cream and vanilla; pour over crust.
• Bake at 450 degrees F., 10 minutes.
• Reduce temperature to 250 degrees F.; continue baking for 1 hour.
• Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan.
• Chill.
• Top with pie filling just before serving.
• VARIATION:.
• Substitute 1 1/2 cups finely chopped nuts and 2 T sugar for graham cracker crumbs and sugar.