Tuesday, August 07, 2012

CCC: Pecan Pie Cheesecake

**August is Cheesecake month!**

A big change has happened for the Crazy Cooking Challenge! Now participants can find their recipe ANYWHERE. Famous or not famous. Or create your own. I am still going to try and find mine on blogs though. That's how I roll :P I like to share other blogs.

So I have umpteen million different cheesecake recipes on my list of recipes I want to try. My decision was based solely on wanting to spoil my husband before he went out to the field for 2 weeks and survived on MREs. My husband loves pecan pie. I don't. He only gets it at Christmas if his Granny brings it for Christmas Day dinner. I had a Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe in my arsenal from a blog called Heidi's So-Called Life and decided that even though it's not autumn yet, it would hit the spot perfectly for my husband. :)

The recipe itself was actually pretty simple even though it looks complex. I took Heidi's tip of a casserole dish full of hot water underneath the cheesecake while it baked and I had NO cracking! I don't have a dish big enough to sit my springform pan in to do an actual water bath. This was the best cheesecake I've made - I'd almost say my very first successful cheesecake.


The cheesecake was rich and decadent - perfectly smooth and the crust with the vanilla wafers was so much more delicate than the traditional graham crackers. Do I really need to sell the pecan pie filling part? It was the traditional gooey, sweet pecan pie layered in between the cheesecake and crust. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of pecan pie, the crunchy sweetness paired perfectly with the cheesecake. This is sure to be a hit for any pecan pie lover!


I will be hopping around today - stumbling, pinning, tweeting, and FB-ing lots of entries :)


(Print)
What you need:
Crust:
  • 1 3/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
Pecan Filling:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
Cheesecake Filling:
  • 3 pkg. cream cheese
  • 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp. flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
  1. Crust: Combine crumbs and brown sugar. Stir in butter.
  2. Press into a springform pan. Bake for 6 minutes at 350*. Cool. Reduce oven heat to 325*.
  3. Pecan Filling: Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer on low for 8 to 10 minutes. Pour onto crust. 
  4. Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
  5. Add brown sugar and flour. Mix until combined.
  6. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  7. Stir in cream and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
  8. Pour on top of pecan filling.
  9. Bake for 1 hour. Then turn off the oven and leave cake in the oven with the door closed for one more hour. Remove from oven. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the sides. Chill for 4 hours before serving.
Recipe from Heidi's So-Called Life


Below you can find all the other cheesecake recipes from the other Crazy Cooking Challengers, make sure you stop by and show them some love :)

29 comments :

Melissa said...

What a fantastic idea! My parents love pecan pie, so I have a feeling this cheesecake is in their future :) Great CCC pick! I'm #16. :)

Unknown said...

Wow! Had to pin this before I even read the recipe! Being from Georgia, we love pecan pie. I can't wait to give this a try!

Love Bakes Good Cakes said...

The best of 2 desserts! Pinning. I'd love for you to stop by - I'm #9 in the challenge. :)

Little Mommy Kim said...

I adore the pecan crust!! This one would be my husband's favorite - hands down. Thanks for sharing my cheesecake - you're the best! xo

Anonymous said...

OMG I just saw this on pinterest the other day and immediately pinned it for Thanksgiving this year! Looks so amazing! CCC #69

Katie said...

Yours looks really tasty!!! I really liked your crust recipe and plan to use that with a pumpkin cheesecake recipe for Thanksgiving. Thank you for visiting my cheesecake (#44 in the CCC)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I need an excuse to make this one!!! Caramel, pecan pie and cheesecake all in one...LOVE it!!! Liz #48

Winnie said...

Very unique cheesecake - I loooooove the pecan filling

I'm not participating in the challenge but I also have just posted a cheesecake :)

Teri said...

This looks so wonderful!I love Pecan Pie and I am definitely going to be making this! Great choice!

Lauren said...

What a great idea, it looks delicious!!

Stopping by from CCC #64 - Individual Biscoff Cheesecakes!

Micha @ Cookin' Mimi said...

This looks great. I'm not a big pecan pie fan because it's normally too sweet but this looks like it wouldn't be as syrupy sweet. Pinning this for Thanksgiving

Micha @ Cookin' Mimi

Jennifer said...

Oh my! My husband would just love this one. He's all about peacan pie.

Jen #73

Lisa~~ said...

Two wonderful flavors together, pecan pie and cheesecake...total yum.

If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my CCC entry: #6 Mini Cheesecake Bites.

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Rachel said...

I absolutely love this twist on cheesecake! As a southern girl, I can't help but be intrigued and fascinated by pecan pie and vanilla wafers.. as a foodie - the combination of all these ... oh my word!

love it!

Cheese Curd In Paradise said...

Sounds wonderful! I love pecan pie!

Jaimie said...

Wow, this looks delicious - I only recently discovered how good pecans are and I definitely want to try this soon!

Lesa said...

I'm with your husband. Pecan pie is the bomb. So nice of you to make it for him! It looks amazing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

What a fantastic cheesecake! I love the combination of flavours! The pecan filling is very creative and looks delicious!

Stopping by from Crazy Cooking Challenge #59 – I pinned and tweeted your cheesecake!

Amber
http://thecookssister.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

I am another pecan pie lover! This cheesecake looks great and I bet it tastes just as great! I recently made pecan pie muffins. They were easy and tasted like little pies - perhaps your husband would enjoy them.

Carrie @ My Favorite Finds said...

Yours turned out awesome...as always! Thanks for sharing at Must Try Monday!

Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING said...

LOVE LOVE the pecan layer! Thank you for being a part of the CRAZY COOKING CHALLENGE. Watch for upcoming details about the next years challenge.

Cassie A Little Treat said...

Oh man the pecan layer addition is so awesome! yummy yum!

Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

Pecan pie and cheesecake? Pure bliss!

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

Delicious!! I love pecan pie and cheesecake, so this is perfect for me. #76

Diane Balch said...

You did a fantastic job on the pie. Please share it on foodie friday today. I think everyone will drool.

Unknown said...

Oh my!! Cheesecake + pecan pie = delish. I would love for you to link up to my linky party at The Mandatory Mooch. Still open for another day!!

http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/08/tasty-thursdays-3.html

Thanks, Nichi

The Better Baker said...

Two of my most favorite things all in one???? WOWZERS!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh me, Oh my. I can't imagine a better combination than cheesecake and pecan pie. Wowzers. Pinning this one!!

:)
ButterYum

Unknown said...

Thank You!!! The best of both pies! I love it! Thank you for sharing on Thursday's Treasures week 46. <3 and hugs!