How to Make a Basic Cheesecake with Many Topping Choices

What's on your cheesecake?

Although the origin of the cheesecake is open to debate, some say the treat was offered to competitors in the first Olympic Games in B.C. 776. Today, of course, cheesecakes are everywhere, and the toughest part might be deciding what to put on top of a slice.

Things You'll Need

• 1 1/2 cups prepared graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup, plus 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 medium eggs
• 1 non-stick 9-inch springform pan

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Make the crust by mixing the graham cracker crumbs, 4 tablespoons of sugar and the butter. Mix well before pressing firmly into the bottom of the pan.

2. Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla on medium speed in a mixer until blended. Don't over-beat. Add the eggs one at a time until blended. Pour the mixture on top of the crust in the pan.

3. Bake for 55 minutes, or until the center is almost set. the Loosen the cake from the sides but allow it to cool before removing the pan ring. Refrigerate at least five hours before serving.

4. Prepare the cheesecake toppings:

   For a turtle cheesecake, spoon caramel sauce on individual serving plates. Place the cheesecake slice on top and addh a mixture of chopped pecans and mini milk chocolate chips. Drizzle with chocolate sauce.

   For an Oreo cheesecake, place the cheesecake slice in the freezer for no longer than 30 minutes. Remove and roll in crushed Oreos. Serve with a dab of whipped cream and a mini Oreo.

   For a berry cheesecake, mix fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in a bowl. Coat with simple syrup -- water and sugar -- and refrigerate. Before serving, cover with the berry mixture. Garnish with a dab of whipped cream and a whole strawberry with the crown still on.

   For a chocolate cheesecake, freeze a slice for no longer than 30 minutes. Roll in chocolate shavings -- use a high-quality bar and vegetable peeler. Top with a few mini milk chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Serve with a dab of whipped cream and an unwrapped mini Hershey's Bar or Kiss.

   For a grasshopper cheesecake, pool chocolate sauce lightly on an individual serving plate and lay a slice of cheesecake on top. Top with crushed Thin Mints or chocolate mint cookies and chopped Andes mints. Serve with a dab of whipped cream and a fresh mint leaf or a whole chocolate mint cookie.

   For a Snickers cheesecake, pool a thin layer of caramel sauce on an individual serving plate and top with crushed Snickers. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the plate and drizzle with chocolate sauce.

References

• I-Love-Cheesecake: Origin of Cheesecake