Today on July 2 I will have the first CT scan after completing my treatment. I am confident that I will receive good news, but also I am a bit scared. Under these circumstances I guess that feeling a bit anxious is something “natural.”

In this sense, I decided to bake bake a tasty classic Cheesecake. I came across the recipe on the Real and Simple magazine. This recipe is easy-to-make and a  fantastic dessert that worth sharing with all of you.

Thank you for reading and specially for your prayers. Love Bea

Classic Cheesecake
Real & Simple
Easy | Servings 10

For the Pie Crust:

• 18  graham crackers (2 sleeves)
• 1/2  cup  (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4  teaspoon  kosher salt

For the Cake:

• 1  cup  plus 4 tablespoons sugar
• 3  8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2  cups  sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  pure vanilla extract
• 3  large eggs, at room temperature

Cherry sauce:

• 1  10-ounce bag frozen cherries
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• 1/4  teaspoon  kosher salt
• 1  tablespoons  cornstarch
• 2  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice

1. Make the cake: Heat oven to 325° F (160 C). In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add the butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and pulse to combine. Using a straight-sided dry measuring cup, press the mixture into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1 cup of the remaining sugar on medium speed until smooth. Add 1 cup of the sour cream and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and beat to combine. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Pour the mixture into the crust and bake until just set (the center will be slightly wobbly), 50 to 60 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Spread over the hot cheesecake, then bake until set, 3 to 5 minutes more. Let cool to room temperature in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake before unmolding.
4. Make the cherry sauce: In a large skillet, combine the cherries, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the mixture begins to thicken, 4 to 6 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water. Add to the cherries in the skillet and cook, stirring, until the mixture is thick and syrupy, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice. Let cool completely. Serve with the cheesecake.

Cooking tip: The key on this recipe are the ingredients kept at room temperature. Also since I am not the best at making the pie crust from scratch, I prefer to buy the pie crust at the grocery store. My favorite brand is Keebler. Finally, I didn’t have all the ingredients for the cherry sauce, so I skipped the step and used marmalade instead.