Say Cheese… Cheesecake!

I love a baked cheesecake! It is my number one cake and dessert and something I love baking. The decadent mixture of cream cheese and sour cream…the excitement and thrill of removing a smoothly baked, no cracks- cheesecake from the oven…. pure bliss. Simple. Elegant. Decadence.

The intense enjoyment and appreciation of cheesecake dates back far, very far… as far back 230 A.D. according to John J. Sergreto in his book Cheesecake Madness. Rumour has it that the Romans were first introduced to cheesecake on their quest to concur Greece, which seems to be the first enjoyer of cheesecake.

Sources say that cheesecake, in ancient Greece, was believed to be a good source of energy and even served to athletes during the Olympic games. We have no Olympic Games this year due to the pandemic, but that does not mean we can not indulge in a slice of creamy, silky, smooth baked cheesecake!

Because you don’t live near a bakery doesn’t mean you have to go without cheesecake.

Hedy Lamarr

My mom has been baking this recipe for years and we still call it a family favorite here in my Kalahari kitchen. You need look no further for a creamy and ultra smooth classic cheesecake recipe! A buttery cookie crust, with a thick layer of creamy cheesecake and a whipped sour cream topping, if you like.

Once you have a stellar base recipe, you can alter it with different ingredients and flavors. Get creative or keep it simple. Either way, it’s going to impress. Say hello to your new favorite cheesecake recipe!


Life is like a box of chocolates

During the last few months, we have all been forced to reset, rethink and refocus. It has been a time of regathering our thoughts, re-evaluating our lives and realigning our goals. As a family, we were blessed to spend our lockdown weeks on the ranch. With our three kids all home ( as universities and schools had to readjust to e-learning) we once again had special family times around our kitchen table… laughing, learning and loving life together as in years long passed.

This has been a time of creating new recipes and remaking family favorites. And yes, baking chocolate brownies EVERY weekend! My son, Janneman LOVES ( and that is an understatement) brownies. Cakey on the outside and fudgy in the middle, this easy brownie recipe really is the best!

So wrap around your apron and get ready for some chocolate therapy! The batter itself is to DIE for! Good luck NOT licking the spoon and bowl clean. Because chocolate is happiness that you can eat.

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Weekend Bliss (with chocolate of course)

Another week has passed.. a new normal starting to emerge amid Covid-19, masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing. Weekends are our time to recap, recover and dream about a life as we have known it…. But is is also time to rediscover new recipes! As a family, we try and cut the sugar and carbs during the week. So come Friday, everyone is craving something sweet and this weekend we whipped up delicious, delectable, desirable( did I say delicious?) Millionaire’s Shortbread. Known as Millionaire’s Shortbread, presumably because they are so rich, they consist of a crisp shortbread base with an indulgent salted caramel filling that’s topped with a layer of dark chocolate – pure heaven! What more can a girl (or her family) want?

May your life be filled, as mine has been, with love and laughter; and remember, when things are rough all you need is…. CHOCOLATE

Geraldine Solon, Chocolicious
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