April 23rd was National Cherry Cheesecake Day #CherryCheesecakeDay/ I wish I had known about that because it would have been close to Easter and Cherry Cheesecake would have been the perfect dessert for David and his Dad. As for Charlie he might have tried the Cherry Cheesecake if there was any left after David’s bother Mike, his dad and David all had a slice or two. As for me I will pass because I only like Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. What about you?
On National Cherry Cheesecake Day, which falls on April 23, people are celebrating the smooth dessert topped with antioxidant-loaded Cherries. We always knew Cherry Cheesecake was a classic, but did you know Cherry Cheesecake dates back to 2,000 B.C.?
The Cheese-based delicacy has long been a favorite but has changed in many ways over the years. Today, we most often imagine Cherry Cheesecake with a Graham Cracker my favorite or Pastry Crust, filled with Cream Cheese, and topped with nutrient-rich Cherries with a drizzle of thick Cherry Sauce to top it off. I bet you people’s mouths are watering just thinking of Cherry Cheesecake.
Though Cherry Cheesecake has been around for thousands of years, even today there’s a huge variation for what qualifies as the iconic dessert. The Crust can be anything from Graham Cracker to Pastry Crust and even Sponge Cake, and the Cheese inside isn’t always Cream Cheese!
Did you know some recipes swap Cream Cheese for Cottage Cheese and are baked with no Crust at all. The hallmark of Cherry Cheesecake is, of course, the Cherries, which traditionally rest on top and are packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Besides being delicious, Cherries are anti-inflammatory and pack a punch of antioxidants!
Did you know the ancient Greeks didn’t add Cherries to their Cheesecake, but served a primitive form of the dessert for thousands of years. Even to their athletes in the first Olympics! So if you ever wonder whether or not you can have Cheesecake and still have an athletic figure, it is possible. The first written recipes for Cheesecake appeared a few thousand years after it was first reportedly made.
In 1,000 A.D., Cheesecake reached Europe. Roman Armies stormed into Western Europe and the U.K., bringing with them the recipe! Though the dessert was a huge hit and spread rapidly, the next cookbook mention of Cheesecake in these Countries was in the mid-1500s. Cheesecake was then a widespread and well-known dessert and the rest is history.
A new iteration of Cheesecake arrived in the late 1870s, with the development of Cheesecake and its promotion to the primary ingredient in the smooth dessert. Less than a decade after its invention, Philadelphia Kraft was making Cream Cheese en masse, and Cheesecake was more accessible than ever.
This gave way to the invention of the New York-style Cheesecake that we all love so well today, which is defined by its ingredients including Cream Cheese, Egg, and Sugar. Many people say this is when Cheesecake really became Cheesecake! What do you think and why?
National Cherry Cheesecake Day Activities
- There are so many kinds of Cherry Cheesecake, a testing panel is the only way to know what’s best! Invite over friends or family to taste test and decide on the Cherry Cheesecake to rule them all.
- You might have an old family recipe, or you’re aiming to perfect a classic one you found online. Either way, take to the kitchen and create your own Cherry Cheesecake because there’s nothing better than a Homemade Cherry Cheesecake. Is there? Share the recipe with your family and friends when you’re done!
- After you’ve perfected the Cherry Cheesecake recipe that’s made everyone you’ve served it to melt, post the picture on Social Media and use the hashtag #NationalCherryCheesecakeDay! You’ll inspire some more bakers and show off your mad baking skills while celebrating the most delicious holiday of them all.
Facts About Cheesecake
- Did you know there was a 4,703-lb Cheesecake whipped up by Philadelphia Kraft Foods in 2009, this hefty Cheesecake is the all-time heavyweight Cheesecake champion.
- In a surprising twist, Cheesecake isn’t a Cake at all, but a Baked Cheese Custard Pie with a Crust!
- The “Golden Girls” were big fans and were not sure how the Golden Girls did it, but over the course of seven years of filming, the “Golden Girls” TV show they went through over 100 Cheesecakes. That’s over one full Cheesecake a month for almost a decade!
- We can’t confirm this, but legend has it that the first Olympic games of 776 B.C. supplied their athletes with some form of Cheesecake before their events.
- Häagen-Dazs once made Cheesecake-flavored stamps for the Austrian Postal Service. Isn’t that crazy?
Why We Love National Cherry Cheesecake Day
The question is who doesn’t love Cheesecake? It’s already a fan favorite, and only improves with Cherries! National Cherry Cheesecake Day is the day for indulgence, so go ahead and pick up that slice in the grocery store that you’ve been eyeing.
The dessert has its roots in 2,000 B.C. Greece, yet remains popular today. We think that definitely makes Cheesecake a classic! It’s got a great history and great taste, what more can we ask for?
When is the last time you made a Cheesecake from scratch? It’s been a long time for us, too. National Cherry Cheesecake Day is a great excuse to rediscover the joys of baking with family and friends and perfect your own recipe!
Recipe for Cherry Cheesecake
Additional Time: 5 hours Total Time: 5 hours 5 mins
Servings: 12 Yield: 1 (9-inch) cheesecake
Ingredients
Original recipe yields 12 servings
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
Directions:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place condensed milk, softened cream cheese, lemon juice, and vanilla into a mixing bowl; beat until well blended.
- Pour mixture into pie crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 5 hours; do not freeze.
- Pour cherry pie filling on top of pie; serve.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
