My Cherry Swirl Cheesecake Bake Contribution

The Recipe: Cherry Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients

• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
• 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
• 2 (8-ounce) packages full-fat cream cheese
• 1 (14-ounce) can low-fat sweetened condensed milk
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup bottled lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsifted all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 300ºF (150ºC). Spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan with vegetable cooking spray. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs evenly on the bottom of the pan.
2. Prepare Cherry Puree: In a blender or food processor, puree the cherry pie filling until smooth. Mix in the grated orange rind and set aside.
3. Mix Cheesecake Batter: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, beating until smooth. Incorporate the egg whites, whole egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Finally, stir in the flour.
4. Layer and Swirl: Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spoon 1/2 cup of the cherry puree evenly over the batter. Add the remaining batter on top. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining 1/2 cup cherry puree over the batter and gently swirl with a knife or spatula.
5. Bake: Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until the center is set. Allow the cheesecake to cool, then chill it in the refrigerator. Serve with the remaining cherry puree if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Tips for the Perfect Cheesecake

• Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: While fat-free cream cheese can make the cheesecake rubbery and chalky, full-fat cream cheese ensures a rich, creamy texture.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, especially the cream cheese, are at room temperature before mixing. This prevents lumps and ensures a smooth batter.

The Bake Sale Experience

The bake sale was a success, raising a significant amount for the animal shelter. However, we learned a few lessons for future events. Advertising earlier and choosing a more convenient time than 2 PM on a Sunday could help attract more participants.

Interesting Cheesecake Facts

• Cheesecake Origins: Cheesecake dates back to ancient Greece, where it was served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. (Source).
• Cheesecake Consumption: According to a survey by the American Dairy Association, 69% of Americans prefer cheesecake as their favorite dessert (Source).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Conclusion

Participating in the bake sale was a rewarding experience, both in terms of contributing to a good cause and honing my baking skills. With a few tweaks and better planning, our next bake sale promises to be even more successful. If you're looking to make a delicious dessert that stands out, give this Cherry Swirl Cheesecake a try!

For more baking tips and recipes, check out Food Network and AllRecipes.