 So there are some foods that I am scared of.
Not scared to eat…pshh, don’t be ridiculous.
Scared to make…
Scared silly.
Some of these fears derived from epic fails in the kitchen:
-Anything involving a candy thermometer.
I think this must come from deep-rooted trust issues…
Like is it REALLY 250°? What if it’s wrong? What if it is 5 degrees off? Maybe I should just let it go for a few more minutes. What if , what if, what if?
And the candy thermometer consistently requires me to pull my mind out of the gutter…I mean, it’s a kitchen tool that literally says, “firm ball” on it.
I get it, I’m immature, move along.
-Pancakes.
CANNOT. MAKE. THEM.
I have tried over and over and over…and they just aren’t that good. They are acceptable to the unsophisticated pallette of my children, children who deem Kid Cuisine a good dinner. But would I serve them to a guest?
Never.
Ever.
-Yeast. The rising, the waiting, the correct room temperature…AHHH
Shoot me now.
-Pudding. Hate making it, hate eating it, just hate.
Seriously how long does it take milk to boil?
Wait, I’ll answer that for you…7,000 minutes.
Too long with the stirring, too long with the waiting…and no matter how much you stir it always sticks on the bottom.
No pudding for me.
And you know what else I had a fear of?
Cheesecake.
The cracking, the spring-form pan, cream cheese vs. ricotta…
I think half of my insecurity stemmed from the fear that if I learned to make it I would eat it all.
Because cheesecake is my most favorite food.
Like if I were on death row and I had one more meal it would be cheesecake.
Or if I was stranded on a deserted island and I could bring one thing it would be cheesecake.
I’m not practical, don’t be shocked.
So, I decided that I am 35 years old and I need to hurdle some of these obstacles.
Because it’s a bit of a tragedy that I must go to my Mother-In-Law’s house to enjoy cheesecake.
(Don’t read into that)
So first attempt cheesecake…success.
Make it. Eat it. Love it.
Cheesecake:
40 Nilla wafers crushed
3 Tbsp butter, melted
3 (8 oz) pkgs of cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 eggs
Vanilla mousse topping:
1 (8oz) pkg of cream cheese softened
1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip thawed
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Strawberry topping:
1 pint of strawberries, sliced
2 oz semisweet chocolate melted
Preheat oven to 350°
Mix crushed cookies and butter and press into the bottom of an ungreased spring-form pan.
Mix on medium the 3 pkgs of cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until combined and smooth.
Reduce speed to low and add eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated.
Pour mixture over the crust and bake 45-50 minutes until center is set.
If it cracks, don’t worry.
Remove from oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen from sides.
Cool completely in pan.
When the cheesecake is cooled make your mousse topping.
Mix your 8 ox softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl with the sugar and vanilla with mixer until smooth.
Whisk in your Cool Whip until combined. Don’t over mix.
Spread the mousse layer on top of cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
When cheesecake is completely chilled arrange your sliced strawberries on top.
Drizzle the melted chocolate on top of strawberries.
Slice and serve!
adapted from kraft foods
 Trust me, if I can do this, so can you!
The only fear left now is eating the whole pan!
Hi! I’m Shelly and I’m an addict. Of the buttercream sort. I started this site a few years ago as a way to justify my sugary, buttery obsession with desserts. It has worked out well for me so far, because as it turns out you guys all love sugary, buttery desserts too! It feels good to know you are not alone, doesn’t it? 
I have way too many of those same fears! This cheesecake looks amazing, like you've done it a million times before! Such a great idea to top it with chocolate and strawberries!
OHMYGODIAMCOMINGOVERTOYOURHOUSETOEATCHEESECAKEANDBEVERYHAPPYBECAUSEITLOOKSAMAZING!
amazing!
Yum! Looks delish! Good for you facing your fears!! =)
Lawsie mercy child … the fat cells in hiney just quivered.
If you can make this, you can make pudding, puddin.
Prize winning cheesecake!
Your first attempt, good work!!!! I'd say cheesecake as the one meal you can bring with you on a dessert island is WAY practical. But, I also think bringing 2 large suitcases on a weekend getaway, filled with my own snacks, drinks and baked good is practical. Sooooo, maybe I'm not the best judge.
fear no more!!! This is absolutely amazing! I am making this soon…like tomorrow! I love the cheesecake and cream topping with the chocolate and strawberries! its perfect!
I love the vanilla mousse layer. Yum. I would fear eating the whole thing too…
Aimee
Gorgeous. Love it. Adding it to my to try list.
Woo Hoo, you did it! The flood gates have been opened! BEAUTIFUL cheesecake:)
I'm also scared silly of making cheesecake! But maybe just maybe I'll try it this weekend. It's so yummy and I hate thats there a food I'm scared to make. Btw on the pudding just do the instant and teach your kids how to make it. My 3 year daughter makes it for us all the time
This cake is beautiful! The accidentally on purpose chocolate drizzle is divine.
-B
http://maskingmetaphors.blogspot.com/
Beautiful!!! (I am scared of pudding too!)
BEautiful!!1 And Drooling!! Your food makes me want to…bake. Or eat.
Congratulations and what a beautiful one it is!
Well the CHEESE no longer stands ALONE…it has chocolate and strawberries…nice job. I have a fear of macarons and my mother in law. Any advice? HA
You know, the best part of covering it with strawberries is that no one will know if it cracks!
(ha. cracks. See, I'm five too!)
And yeast really isn't so bad.
Macarons. They frighten the balls out of me.
Good for you for conquering your fear! If your cheesecake cracks – top it!
I love to make pancakes, work with yeast, candy thermometers…anything like that.
I'm afraid of clarifying butter….
A job well done! It looks beautiful AND delicious!
Ohh Chocolate covered strawberries.
I am going to go ahead and assume that one of these is packed in an ice chest and headed to Arkansas via overnight mail.
Because no Blog BFF would dare post such a thing without sharing.
This looks so tasty, layers of cream on cake is heaven.
Shel, this really really is a beautiful dessert.
Delicious! I could eat that right about now.
I CANNOT make rice krispies. Seriously. Rice Krispies. I'm pretty sure that recipe is in cooking 101. Yeah…epic failures every time.
PS I LOVE your stories/writing. I'm still laughing about your water aerobics class.
http://adeliciousdiscovery.blogspot.com/
cheesecake is one of my faves to make. you did a great job!
cheese cake top with starwary is tempting
waiting for ur visit and follow
cheese cake top with starwary is tempting
waiting for ur visit and follow
You could even cover dark cookie sheets with aluminum foil. The reflective quality of the pan insures even baking and browning of your cookies. With the right cookie sheet, you will produce perfectly browned cookies each time you bake.
What a cute site! I am so glad yo stopped by mine so I could find yours. So many great looking desserts oh my!
With these results, that hurdle you got over looks like a piece of cake
. Oh look at me being corny!
Well first attempt looks amazing! I know the fear of making sweets you like too much.
Looks so yummy, well done.
This looks gorgeous and delicious!! YUMMY!!!
Just gorgeous! Strawberries and chocolate are one of my favorite combos…even better on top of cheesecake!!
As soon as I saw the vanilla mousse I knew this was the Kraft cheesecake I've been drooling over. This looks absolutely perfect. Strawberries and cheesecake with chocolate- holy yum!
Good for you for conquering your fear
This certainly does look like a wonderful success! Its absolutely gorgeous, congrats on conquering your fear! I am too yet to make a cheesecake, hopefully someday soon
wait . . . am i reading someone else's blog . . . or are you an imposter having hijacked this blog previously in control of its rightful owner? because the intro said you were afraid of making cheesecake and yet . . . and yet the photos of this cheesecake most certainly do NOT look like someone who's afraid of making said cheesecake. and in fact, look very much like a PROFESSIONAL who has been making cheesecakes for years . . . IMPOSTER – YOU ARE AN IMPOSTER!!! i am so tellin' mom . . .
You always crack me up!! You're hilarious! And I'm just about with you on the pancakes. I almost burned down my house trying to make them Tuesday. That was just dumb on my part, but I still have a hard time with getting them just right! Fortunately my hubby eats them anyway! Can't wait to try the cheesecake. I've been hesitant to try cheesecake too, but I'm trusting you that it's doable!
This is phenomenal, Shelly! Two of my favorite things combined into one. Pinnng for later! Yum!
That is beautiful!!!
just a lil' bit in an envelope and send it to the UK and we'll be best buds
That is one GORGEOUS cheesecake!!! No more being afraid….you are a professional! Wow.
This is my first time on your blog….I completely enjoyed this post. My first cheesecake was just 1 month ago, I made the Brandy Alexander Cheesecake from Southern Living. I had the magazine article for almost 2 years before I attempted it, and it was way easier than expected. My sister’s birthday is next week and this is going on the menu!!!! Thanks!
You scared of cheesecake? I would never have guessed looking at that awesome one you just made! It looks amazing!!! Now being scared of eating it all??? I know that feeling all too well;-)
Jocelyn recently posted..Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Banana Butter Cream
I love that your recipe ingredients say a “ton” of cool whip…ha ha.. I know what you ment but NOTHING is bad with a ton of cool whip. And I’m definately making this cheesecake this weekend!! It looks amazing!!
amen, sister. nothin better than cheesecake!!……….and dark chocolate. dark chocolate and cheesecake……….wait. how ’bout dark chocolate cheesecake?!?!?! got a recipe for that?? THAT would be heaven!
This might be a silly question, but did you use a 10″ inch springform pan? I’m making this cheesecake for our pie stand at our local Firemen’s Picnic this weekeend. Thanks for the great recipe. Love a cheesecake that’s covered with lots of deliciousness and don’t have to worry about cracks or an uneven top!
Yes, a 10″…I should have included that!
My fear is not the cheesecake itself, it’s the springform pan and water bath. My one attempt was a disaster. Water leaked through the aluminum foil barrier, and then the springform came apart in my hand and my beloved pumpkin gingerbread cheesecake fell to the floor. The night before Thanksgiving.
Amy @ A Little Nosh recently posted..Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs
This cheesecake required no water bath…that stuff scares me too!
This looks AMAZING! I must make this as soon as possible!!