Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Victoria Bylin: Cheesecake Time!


Congratulations to Cheryl on seven years of blogging!  It seems like yesterday that I discovered her books in the Fairfax County Library in Annandale, Virginia. I’ll never forget reading Joe’s Wife (and then so many of her others) and thinking, “I want to do that!”  It’s a joy to celebrate her blog, so let’s go for it! We need treats, of course. And presents.

Anyone up for cheesecake?  This recipe has been in the Bylin family for over fifty years. Ladies, light your ovens!

Mom Bylin’s Cheesecake

Graham Cracker Crust
My mom use to grind up crackers with a rolling pin. I follow the directions on the box of ready-made crumbs. The box kind is much easier and just as good. I use a 9-inch glass pie plate and follow the directions for the baked crust. You’ll need butter or margarine and sugar.  Be sure to keep out about an 1/8 cup of the butter/sugar/crumb mix for a topping.

Filling
9 oz regular cream cheese (Kraft is my favorite brand. This used to be 3-3 oz squares, but I haven’t seen those in years)
1 8 oz carton of sour cream
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla.

Soften the cream cheese. (My mom used to let it sit on the counter. I do it in the microwave on the lowest power, being very careful not to liquefy it.) Blend the cream cheese and the sour cream in a small bowl until the mixture is lump free (or as close to lump free as you can get it; tiny lumps will melt when baked). Set this bowl aside.

In a bigger bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add the cream cheese / sour cream mix and blend thoroughly.  Pour into the graham cracker crust and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, or until the middle looks done.  Let it cool a bit.

Topping
1 8 oz. carton of sour cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Blend in a bowl, then spread gently on the baked cheesecake.  Sprinkle with the leftover crumbs from the crust.  Bake for 5 minutes (sometimes less) at 450 degrees.  Refrigerate overnight and enjoy!

That’s the cheesecake; now it time for the presents . . . 

Today I’m giving away a copy of Brides of the West.  Please leave your email address in a comment on this blog to be entered. Brides of the West is in the Spring Wedding anthology from Love Inspired Historicals. Here’s the blurb from Josie’s Wedding Dress . . .  

Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Donner. Now the man who left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for.

Happy reading! The anthology is a delightful way to spend a summer afternoon in a hammock or by the pool. Make some iced coffee to go with the cheesecake and enjoy!


Victoria Bylin writes about cowboys, outlaws and preachers. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons. They also have a dog that drives them mildly nuts and horses for neighbors. Life is good! You can learn more about Vicki at www.victoriabylin.com








22 comments:

  1. I love historical books. Thank you for the chance to win.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

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  2. Good luck to everyone in the drawing! And congrats again to Cheryl!

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  3. Vicki, thank you for the huge compliment. And it's huge because there were authors I admired who inspired me to write, as well. I consider it an honor that my stories inspired you.

    We have a lot of cheesecake lovers in the family. A favorite is Oreo cheesecake. I will be trying your family recipe soon!
    xoxo

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  4. thanks for the recipe and the chance to win this giveaway :)

    eli_y83@yahoo.com

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  5. Sounds like a great book, And cheese cake yummy in the tummy.

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  6. thanks for the share about receipt cheesecake. sounds good i must try soon! and the present too. i love cowboys. western story. .

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Cheese cake, yum. Sounds like a good book and I would love a chance to win.

    lmyost@roadrunner.com

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  10. Thanks for the recipe, I hope Cheryl brings it to the next Pot blessing at church. (hint hint lol) Cheryl introduced me to historical books and got me hooked. I love them now. 'Brides of the West' sounds just like my type of book. If I don't win, I know I will look for it in the stores and buy it. Thanks to you and Cheryl for some wonderful reading material. godsblessings4me@hotmail.com

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  11. Cheryl, I love cheese cake! My family has a no-bake oreo cheese cake that we make. it takes a 9x13 pan and is amazing.

    1pkg oreos.
    1stick melted butter.
    1pkg softened cream cheese
    3cups milk
    2 boxes vanilla pudding
    1tub cool whip

    seperate cream from cookies & setaside. crush cookies. set aside 1cup of crushed cookies for topping. mix crushed cookies with butter & press into bottom of pan for crust. mix softened cream cheese & cookie cream. mix milk & pudding with cream cheese mix to make filling. pour into crust. top with cool whip & cookie crumbs. chill & serve!


    I would love to win this book. my e.mail addy is: dallasandalaina@yahoo.com
    Amanda Williams.

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  12. Thanks for the recipe! I love reading Harlequin's western anthologies. I have especially enjoyed the Christmas anthologies over the years. Do you and Cheryl have any plans to co-write another anthology?
    castings at mindspring dot com

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  13. I would love to write an anthology with Vicki! Write the editors. *g*

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  14. Hi Cheryl and Victoria, two wonderful authors together...
    I love to read the historical stories and about Brides is great. thanks for sharing today Victoria.
    Congrats Cheryl on your great blog, always enjoy stopping by for a visit...
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  15. Being in an anthology with Cheryl was pure joy and a huge honor. I'd love to do it again. We'll see what the future holds!

    The oreo cheesecake recipe made my mouth water . . . Off to eat lunch which, sadly, doesn't include cheesecake, though I wish it did!

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  16. Looks like another yummy recipe for me. Can't wait to ted it.

    Coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

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  17. You do realize just reading that recipe makes some of us gain weight, right? I love your books and Cheryl's, too. This has been a fun celebration, hasn't it? And soooo relaxing, right, Cheryl? :-)

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    1. Oh, yes, Liz, you've got that right. A guest and a drawing every day for a month was a regular vacation. :::Snort:::

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  18. Thanks for a new recipe to try. I have never made a baked cheesecake but this sounds good!

    Have read your books and love them.

    lorenzc@abbnebraska.com

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  19. Sounds like a great recipe, love cheese cake so I must try this one. Also I will bet this books is an awesome read. Thanks for the chance to win.

    quiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com

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  20. Your recipe sounds yummy! Thanks for the chance to win :)
    averycove at gmail dot com

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  21. Enter me!
    Sarah Richmond
    sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
    Blanch,N.C.

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