CORDON ROSE CREAM CHEESECAKE

 
Raspberries, or strawberries... it's all good!

Cordon Rose Cream Cheesecake, a New York style cheesecake, is the best cheesecake in the world!!! No exaggeration whatsoever. The recipe comes from the book "The Cake Bible," by Rose Levy Beranbaum, published in 1988. This is an outstanding dessert cookbook, still available for sale.
I love cheeesecake, and I have tried many cheesecake recipes. This one is the best, the creamiest, and the most flavorful. It's firm enough to be unmolded and served without a base, but it can have a ladyfinger base, as shown by Ms. Beranbaum here, or a cookie crumb base, as it has on my post. Truthfully, I prefer it without a base. I just don't want anything to interfere with the custardy, creamy goodness of this cheesecake.

Purchased in the early 1990s - I love this cookbook; its author is a baker extraordinaire. I must admit though, I am still scared to attempt to make some of her more complicated recipes.

Ingredients: 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups sour cream
about one cup of cookie crumbs, (made up from your favorite cookies), to serve as a crumb crust.
fresh raspberries or blueberries, rinsed and allowed to dry thoroughly
1/4 cup raspberry jelly or blueberry jelly
1 tablespoon Chambord or water
A 9-inch by 2 1/2-inch or higher springform pan, greased, outside of the pan wrapped with a double layer of heavy-duty foil to prevent seepage, bottom of pan lined with greased parchment paper.
A 12-inch cake pan or roasting pan to serve as water bath.

Here is a version I made without a base, and with a strawberry-blackberry topping

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• In a food processor beat the cream cheese until soft. Add the sugar and beat until very smooth.
• Add the cornstarch, and pulse to blend. Add the eggs one at a time with the motor running. Add the lemon juice, vanilla and salt and mix until incorporated.
• Add the sour cream and mix just until blended.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set the pan in the larger pan and surround it with 1-inch of very hot water.

WOW! A cheesecake that did not crack in the middle! Make sure your pan is well greased, so the cheesecake can separate from the sides of the pan as it settles. This will keep it from cracking.

• Bake the cake for 45 minutes. Turn off the oven without opening the door and let the cake cool for 1 hour. (OK, I opened the oven door and took a peek, then decided to let the cake bake for an extra 10 minutes, then I let it cool in the oven for one hour).
• After one hour take it out of the oven and remove the aluminum foil from around the pan. Place it on a rack and cool it to room temperature (about 1 hour).
• Cover with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

To unmold:

• Have ready one serving plate
• Have ready a flat plate at least 8 inches in diameter, covered with a plastic wrap.
• Place the springform pan on a heated burner and move it around for 15 seconds.
• Wipe the sides of the pan with a hot, damp towel.
• Run a thin metal spatula around the sides of the cake and release the sides of the springform pan.
• Place the plastic-wrapped plate on top and invert. Remove the bottom of the pan and the parchment.

crumbled up chocolate chip - pecan sandies (store bought), can become the base

• If you want a cookie base, now is the time to sprinkle cookie crumbs on the cake.
• Reinevert onto the serving plate and use a small metal spatula to smooth the sides. If you like, sprinkle some crumbs on the sides, too.
• Refrigerate until shortly before serving.

For a simple topping:

• Arrange raspberries or blueberries on top of the cheesecake. Remember that they should be thoroughly dry.
• In a small saucepan or microwave oven, heat the jelly until melted and bubbling. Strain it into a small cup and stir in the Chambord or water. Brush it onto the fruit, or pour the jelly on the cheesecake and place the fruit on top. 
   
  http://sweetalmondtree.blogspot.com/2010/07/cordon-rose-cream-cheesecake.html