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