In honor of America's 238th birthday we just had to make the most patriotic and summer-y desert there ever was! This cheesecake was delightful, rich and refreshing against the oppressive Texas heat. One slice just wasn't enough, before long everyone was going back for seconds!!
You will need one 9 inch spring-form pan along with the following ingredients for this desert.
Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
3 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
8 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 cups blueberries
1 cup Cool Whip
1/4 cup sour cream
Step 1
Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of melted butter and tablespoon of sugar. Press into bottom of your lightly greased 9 inch spring-form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool.
Step 2
While the crust is cooling beat the softened cream cheese and add 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons of flour and salt until blended. Add eggs one at a time and blend well.
Step 3
Add sour cream, vanilla and lemon extracts. Take half of the blueberries and squish them using your hands and mix into the batter. This will allow the juices from the blueberries to blend with the batter and create a richer fruit flavor. Gently stir in the remaining blueberries. Pour the mixture into cooled crust.
Optional Step 1
Use blue and red food coloring and gently place a few drops onto the top of the batter that is ow in the spring-form pan. then use a toothpick to create a light swirl pattern. This will give the cheesecake an added patriotic bonus!
Step 4
Turn the oven down to 325 degrees and bake the cheesecake for approximately 55 minutes. (Cheesecake will be done when it still jiggles in the middle. If you stick a toothpick in the center it will come out dirty, but don't worry!) Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake remain in oven with door closed for 40 minutes. Remove and let cool. Cover and chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator.
Step 5
Lightly mix Cool Whip and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Spread over cheesecake.
Optional Step 2
Take the extra blueberries and place them in a grid like pattern over the top left quarter of the cheesecake. Then cut your strawberries into thin even slices to use for the stripes of the american flag. place them along the cheesecake in 7 evenly spaced stripes. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before cutting.
Your cheesecake should look something like this!!
