Maxine Shanahans Cheesecake Recipes

CHEESECAKE FACTORY® BANANA CHEESECAKE WITH HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place cookies in a food processor; pulse until finely crushed. Add margarine; pulse until well blended. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Refrigerate crust until ready to use.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add 2/3 cup sugar and cornstarch; beat until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas, 1/2 cup cream, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until well combined. Pour cream cheese mixture into the crust. Lay the pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C); continue baking until center is almost set, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Loosen edges of cheesecake from the pan. Refrigerate, uncovered, until completely chilled, 6 hours to overnight.
• Beat 2 cups cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract gradually, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. Top cheesecake with whipped cream.

BEST CLASSIC CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar for crust in a bowl until mixture resembles wet sand. Transfer to the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press crumbs firmly into an even layer.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit on a wire rack until completely cool. Leave the oven on.
• While the crust is cooling, beat cream cheese in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on low speed until smooth.
• Add sugar, sour cream, and vanilla. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl and continue to beat until combined.
• Gently whisk one egg with a fork in a small bowl; add to the cream cheese mixture and beat just until combined. Repeat with each remaining egg, whisking and adding just one at a time.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and firmly bang it on the counter a few times to release any large air bubbles.
• Place the springform pan (with the cooled crust) in an oven bag. Fold down the excess and wrap the pan in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pour cheesecake mixture into the pan.
• Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and move it to the lower rack of the oven.
• Pour 2 inches of boiling water into the roasting pan. Bake cheesecake until edges are puffed and surface is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 ½ hours. Tent the cheesecake with a sheet of foil if the top is browning too much during baking.
• Turn off the oven; keep the oven door closed and let the cheesecake cool slowly for 2 hours.
• Remove from the oven. Take the springform pan out of the water bath and set it on a cooling rack; let sit until it comes to room temperature, about 2 more hours. Place in the refrigerator until fully set, 8 hours to overnight.
• Run the tip of a knife around the edges of the pan. Unhinge the lock and remove the pan sides. Use a warm, clean knife to cut every slice. Top slices with cherry pie filling. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator.

OUR BEST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix graham crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Top with pie filling before serving.