Cheesecake...The Options are Endless for Holiday Get-Togethers

Holiday parties will be abundant in the very near future. Thanksgiving and Christmas are both times deserving of parties and get-togethers with friends and family. Food is often the highlight of such events. We are usually all asked to bring a little something to contribute to these events...a covered dish. The dish I enjoy taking is cheesecake.

Cheesecake is very easy to take to these holiday parties. Its simplicity is not just in the dish itself, but in its ease in serving and eating. The smooth, creamy texture makes it a delicious treat which is easy to eat and converse at the same time...no time-consuming chewing is required. The tangy sweetness makes cheesecake the perfect compliment to other food items; not overpowering the flavor of other foods. Cheesecake also stores well in the freezer and thaws quickly for serving, which eliminates last minute pressures of finding something to make and take to these get-togethers.

There are several kinds of cheesecake from which to choose. For the Holidays, I prefer taking pumpkin cheesecake. Pumpkin cheesecake has a spicy flavor which goes well with other holiday-type foods. It is the perfect compliment to turkey, ham, and lamb. I like to sprinkle a couple of shakes of cinnamon sugar over the top for that extra special "kick". Pumpkin cheesecake is truly the optimal choice for the discerning palate.

New York style cheesecake is another choice. This is the plain cheesecake that probably comes to mind when anyone thinks of cheesecake. It is deliciously rich by itself, but is especially tasty when fruit toppings are added. Dollops of juicy blueberries, ripe raspberries, or sweet pineapple ice cream topping make New York style cheesecake scrumptious. For Holiday time, though, I prefer adding a single chocolate-dipped strawberry including the stem to each slice. This makes an absolutely beautiful and appetizing presentation.

Turtle cheesecake is a truly decadent dessert indulgence allowable during the Holidays. It is the epitome of richness. Who could ever forget its tantalizing flavor of sweet chocolaty goodness combined with the distinct tart flavor of cheesecake and a few crunchy, salty pecans mixed in? Add a quick spray of whipped cream and you have an unforgettable dessert "to die for". Turtle cheesecake satisfies the sweet tooth all of us seem to have during the Holidays.

There are many other cheesecake flavors from which to choose, but these three are my personal favorites. The serving options are as endless as my creative imagination allows. No matter which flavor of cheesecake is chosen, it is sure to be the highlight of the meal. Its simplicity provides peace of mind because of the ease in storing, traveling, serving, and eating. Cheesecake is a deliciously filling and memorable treat for myself and my fellow partygoers.



For a delicious cheesecake to serve her family or to send as a gift, Weaver says you should thing about selecting a gourmet pumpkin cheesecake from an online bakery.