Nana’s Simple Cheesecake – My Baking Dependancy

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My nana’s simple cheesecake is a favourite in our household and I do know it should change into a favourite in yours, too! Prime this easy cheesecake along with your favourite pie filling or sauce and watch it disappear very quickly.

My nana had a couple of “well-known” recipes that she would make for nearly each vacation. They included pumpkin roll, pumpkin crunch cake, and this simple cheesecake recipe. 

This cheesecake is one thing she made for just about each event – most frequently she’d prime half with lemon pie filling and half with cherry pie filling. 

I nonetheless stick with it the custom of creating it for holidays together with my aunt Debbie. Whereas Aunt Debbie retains it fairly conventional, I’ll typically mess around with totally different taste combos, like including lemon zest to the crust or utilizing do-it-yourself fruit toppings. 

For those who’re on the lookout for a straightforward cheesecake recipe to make to your subsequent household gathering or cookout with mates, that is it! I hope you adore it as a lot as my household does.

HOW TO MAKE NANA’S EASY CHEESECAKE

Nana’s simple cheesecake is what I take into account to be a “low-bake” recipe. 

Not like a basic vanilla cheesecake, you don’t bake the complete cheesecake. Extra like pistachio pudding dessert, you bake the crust after which end it with a no-bake filling and topping.

It’s nice for making forward of time because it has to sit back within the fridge to set, so don’t hesitate to whip it up the night time earlier than you intend to serve it!

Substances you’ll want

Nana’s cheesecake doesn’t use a standard graham cracker crust. As an alternative, the crust is sort of extra like a cookie. It won’t be what you’re used to, however I promise it’s scrumptious!

For the crust, you will have:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• pinch of salt

Ensure you take a look at my suggestions for easy methods to measure flour earlier than you get began. That means you might be profitable each time.

For the cheesecake filling and the topping, you will have:

• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling or different taste of alternative
• 1 (8-ounce) container of Cool Whip or TruWhip, thawed based on bundle instructions

See how easy that filling is? Simply cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract! Couldn’t be simpler.

For those who run out of powdered sugar, I’ve a trick for easy methods to make powdered sugar. You should utilize that substitute on this recipe.

I actually love utilizing my do-it-yourself cherry pie filling to prime this simple cheesecake, however haven’t any drawback utilizing canned pie filling in a pinch!

Making this recipe

One of many issues that makes Nana’s cheesecake really easy is that it’s made in a 9×13-inch pan as a substitute of in a springform pan. Line your pan with parchment paper or foil and spray it with nonstick spray to prep it.

Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix the crust elements till they’re crumbly. Use your palms to press this combination into the ready pan and bake for about quarter-hour.

Let the crust cool fully earlier than you add the filling.

Once you’re prepared so as to add the filling, beat the cream cheese with a mixer till mild and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat for one more 3-4 minutes. 

Unfold the filling onto the crust, then prime with the pie filling and the whipped topping. 

Cowl and refrigerate for no less than 4 hours earlier than serving.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to wait so as to add the pie filling and whipped topping till after you might have sliced the cheesecake for a prettier presentation. It’s completely as much as you!

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Like I discussed above, my aunt Debbie likes to stay with the basic cherry pie filling when she makes Nana’s simple cheesecake, however I’ll generally change it up.

Strive including some lemon zest to the crust or the filling and topping with microwave lemon curd or do-it-yourself blueberry sauce.

You would keep on with cherry pie filling or use do-it-yourself strawberry pie filling as a substitute. 

Or give raspberry sauce or strawberry sauce a strive! Or overlook the fruit altogether and go along with sizzling fudge sauce as a substitute. 

MORE EASY CHEESECAKE RECIPES

If Nana’s recipe has you craving simpler cheesecake recipes, don’t fear – I’ve obtained you lined! Take a look at these different no-bake or low-bake recipes, excellent for any event: