Monday, April 28, 2008

Baked Black Cherry Cheesecake for the Dessert Carnival

The Day of Cielo's Dessert Carnival is finally here. Go and join in the fun and taste every dessert from all over the world. The desserts will make you drool, they are a real feast for the eyes.


I participated using this cheesecake. I love cheesecakes, especially homemade ones. Because I prefer the cheesy part to be a bit more fluffy and smooth than slippery, I like the texture of a baked cheesecake, rather than using gelatine and have it set in the fridge. I know some people can be a bit nervous when it comes to making cheesecakes, but if you follow the steps here, you'll be pleased with yourself and it'll definitely be worth the effort. Here's the recipe:

For the base:

125g Digestive Biscuits or any plain sweet biscuits, crushed
60g Butter, melted

Combine crushed biscuits and melted butter. Spread evenly over the base of a greased 21cm springform tin. Press crumb mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 30minutes or until firm.

For the filling:

375g cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornflour
1/2 cup thickened cream
425g can of pitted black cherries, cut in halves save around 5 whole, drained

Using electric beaters, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs gradually, beating well after each addition. Add juice, beat until combined. Sift over cornflour and fold through cream. Scatter approx. half can (or just a lil bit more) of cut black cherries over pastry base. Pour over cream cheese mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes at moderate 180C or until firm. Leave to cool.

For the topping:

1 tablespoon corn flour
1 tablespoon sugar
reserved syrup from can of pitted cherries

Blend cornflour, sugar and reserved syrup in a small saucepan. Stir over heat until mixture boils and thickens. This needs to be thick enough so it won't run. Spread on top of baked cheesecake. Use the other half can of already cut black cherries with the topping. Garnish with the saved whole cherries in the centre. Whip up some extra fresh cream
and pipe onto cheesecake. Serve cold.

Enjoy. Mmmm! It's Superb!!!

As for the "excessive" decorating and garnishing with roses and flowers, my only explanation is I couldn't help it. There's no such thing as "excessive" when it comes to decorating with flowers, is there? It's a Carnival afterall! Besides, Rosy Inspiration has to be rosy, doesn't it? (You can click on pictures to view larger versions)
Can you hear them sing?

18 comments:

a woman who is said...

I think you should take the prize for the most beautiful looking dessert!

You must be growing an amazing amount of roses, either that or your bushes are stripped bare :0)

How many? Inquiring minds need to know :]

Just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rosy Inspiration said...

Huh! Huh! You're not the only one who asks this question. Curiosity kills the cat, but you won't get killed for asking. I always lose count too, Now, let me see! 46, I think that's right. 46 including tree roses and bush ones. Need more to climb on my arches. So the number will go up. It's the best time for roses at the moment, I wish this season would stay forever, perfect temperatures, perfect amount of rainfall, perfect roses in shape, in form, size and fragrance. Spring is great but I get hay fever, not from the roses, but from pollen in the air. I love love love autumn.

Leisa said...

Just beautiful - roses and dessert!!

Suzanne said...

Well, well, well...look what we have here! I have my cheese cake over at the Dessert Carnival too and think I may have to wrestle you for The Best Photo Contest young lady! Roses and a cheese cake ~ isn't it funny how like minds...well...think alike. :)

And if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to your first guest for a moment. "A Woman Who Is," please forgive me for not responding to your comment the other day. I'm trying! I met your sister a few days later and she's a hoot. I haven't talked to you yet because I got so involved with your blog I couldn't stop reading, then didn't want to comment until I'd read the whole thing! Swear to God! I'm not quite finished, but think I'd like to be your new daughter now that you and hubby are empty nesters. Well, okay, I may be a bit old for that, but how about new sister? I was planning to write soon, but now that I see you here drooling over Rosy Inspiration's perfect dessert, I may have to reconsider. I'm jealous! Hey, what about me baby?

And number of roses. Rosy Inspiration, I many not have made a more beautiful cheese cake (yours is stunning and so is the photo), but I beat you in number of roses collected over the years. Yup, I've lost count, but close to 200 or over 200. Who knows? I used to know all their names too, but I can barely remember my own now, so you get the picture (actually I'm joking, I do know most of them).

It has been an absolute pleasure being here. Your blog is gorgeous. I'll be back to read the entire thing when I have time, but frankly, just scrolling through makes me weep! I see lots and lots of David Austin roses. You're my kinda gal.

I'll make your cheese cake and give you my review. Glad we met at the Dessert Carnival. Both of you stop by and say Happy Birthday to Kylie. She's in Australia and her birthday fell on the day of the Dessert Carnival so Cielo said it was for her! Is that a dear friend, or what?

Chat soon,
Suzanne XO

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

I'm in complete approval of your "excessive decoration". Lovely blog...lovely dessert...lovely roses.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rosy,

Great job in the floral display. You obviously put a lot of thought into it! :) And the cheesecake sounds delicious. Cheesecake is hubby's department, but I might try your recipe to surprise him one day! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rosy,

Just got your comment on my blog. Yes, you may have all the cake you want! Would you like tea or coffee to go with the cake?

Oh.... no hurry on the email. I have had some email problems lately... just wanted to make sure it reached you safely. Take your time! :)

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I do not know what is more beautiful, the dessert or the roses! What a lovely way to display your creation :0)

Linda said...

Yum! Both the cheesecake and the roses look good enough to eat.
Cheers Linda

Carole Burant said...

Your cheesecake looks and sounds fabulous!! I love cheesecake and like you, prefer it to be fluffy instead of very dense so your recipe is perfect:-) I so love the way you garnished it as well. Roses are my favourite flowers so I've been admiring all of yours:-) xo

Anonymous said...

I love cheesecake!! Yours looks so beautiful, I bet it tastes delicious!!

Beautiful pictures too. I hope you win!

Donna Lynn said...

I was stunned when I saw your cheesecake on the dessert carnival yesterday!!! You should work for the food and garden magazines as a stylist!! Wow, you are so talented with your pictures! WOW! again and again...
Thanks for all the beauty you share with us all!
Big hugs, Donna Lynn

{oc cottage} said...

THAT is just too beautiful to be eaten!!!!

M

Glenda said...

I found you. First visit here. And I have to say I found you with all those beautiful roses. Your header is just beautiful. I will be back from time to time.

Glenda

Anonymous said...

Rosy!!!

Thanks for the most recent comment you had left on my blog! That brought a smile to me because we have YET another thing in common!!
:)

I hope you have a blessed weekend - refreshed by the treasures in God's Word!

Love,
Ivory Spring

krystyna said...

Cheescakes are always my favorite!
Yours is Excellent!

Thanks Cielo for showing me your beautiful, magical place!

Best wishes to you!

Miss Jean said...

First of all, that cheesecake looks absolutely divine. I can almost taste it over here in California!

I saw your garden pictues over at Cielo's blog. Your roses are absolutely breathtaking! You have given me inspiration to go out and plant more roses. I have such a gopher problem but I can certainly put more in pots. I wish someday I could come and see it in person. Your house is lovely, also.

This is why I love blogging. You meet such creative and inspiring people from all over the world.

Unknown said...

WOW, your roses and dessert are just so yummy! I just love them and am adding you to my fav Blogs!

Best of all, you have a sweet GODly mum, how fortunate you are...I too just did a sweet blog on my mom.
Have a blessed day! Lorena