Good morning, welcome back to our series sharing Food Holidays: April 26th, 2021. Take a look at the Holidays and let me know which one you most would like to celebrate and why.
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
There isn’t much in life that people love more than the flavor of a Cheesecake. Life can be sweeter when everyone has the opportunity to be introduced to Blueberry Cheesecake!
Although, if you were to ask Charlie and I if this is true the answer is no. Neither of us care for Blueberry Cheesecake. But David and his dad do so Charlie could make a Blueberry Cheesecake for them in our Homeschool Cooking Class.
A Blueberry Cheesecake has a crumbly Graham cracker or cookie crust with a rich Cheesy base topped with a Blueberry syrup. Then capped with fresh Blueberries. This might just be the only thing that could possibly be better than the New York Original Cheesecake!
Blueberry Cheesecake Day was established to ensure people everywhere know how incredible this dessert is. We give them the permission they need in order to celebrate appropriately.
This holiday is a great chance for anyone and everyone to try Blueberry Cheesecakes for themselves. Don’t forget to pass the message on to friends and family!
History Of Blueberry Cheesecake Day
The origins of the Cheesecake can be traced back as far as Ancient Greece, when the first recipes for this cake were put into writing. In the centuries that followed, the dessert would undergo countless changes until it developed into what we know today.
As different countries embraced this dish, and different ingredients were more easily available, regional varieties came to be. Different combinations of Cheese would often be used depending on the particular location, but the love of the Cheesecake was certainly universal!
When it comes to Cheesecake, Cream Cheese is the favored primary ingredient in America. While Italian recipes seem to prefer Ricotta Cheese as a base. In addition, there is a special kind of Curd Cheese known as “quark” that is used in Cheesecakes throughout Poland and Germany.
These recipes came to be localized, new innovations were being made by the bakers who developed them. One of these new ideas included the addition ofFfruit to the Cheesecake, and the best of all (of course!) was the Blueberry!
Of course, Blueberries are delicious in their own right. Native to North America, Blueberries were originally called “Star Berries” by the Native Americans who inhabited the lands prior to the Europeans.
Blueberries are a healthy fruit that is called a “superfood”, due to its high concentration of vitamins and antioxidants. Adding these yummy Berries to the top of a Cheesecake probably doesn’t make them healthier, but it certainly makes them tasty!
In addition to the standard options, there are a number of variations of Blueberry Cheesecake. Ass if the original Cheesecake weren’t good enough! Here is a few of the variations including Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecakes, Blueberry Mint Cheesecakes and even Blueberry Cheesecakes made with Kombucha!
The inventiveness of the Cheesecake lover seems to know no limits, which is a benefit to those who are eating Blueberry Cheesecake. Blueberry Cheesecake Day is the perfect day to explore them all!
How to Celebrate Blueberry Cheesecake Day
For people who love Cheesecake and Blueberries, this is going to be an favorite holiday to celebrate. Whether on their your own or with family and friends! Eating a piece of traditional Blueberry Cheesecake is only just the beginning.
Try celebrating Blueberry Cheesecake Day in one of these ways, or come up with other ideas:
Try Making a Blueberry Cheesecake
While traditional, baked Cheesecakes come with their own set of challenges in making them, very many shortcut recipes are now available online–and a variety of them do not even require use of a oven!
For an Easy No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake, mix crushed Graham Crackers or Butter Cookies with melted Butter and Sugar to create a crust. Press into a pie pan or cake pan. Then beat Milk, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla and Cream Cheese to create the filling. Add a bit of Lemon Juice as desired. Spread on top of the Graham Cracker Crust and then top with pre-made, canned Blueberry Pie Filling. Refrigerate and enjoy!
Host a Blueberry Cheesecake Event
By gathering a large group of friends, anyone can enjoy a full range of Blueberry Cheesecakes. Encourage guests to bake and bring their own variety.
Don’t forget that different varieties of the Blueberry bush are available too! It would be possible to try it with the Rabbit Eye Blueberry, or the Northern Highbush Blueberry. Each of these varieties brings their own flavor to the table, creating a unique twist on a basic Blueberry Cheesecake.
Turn it into a charity event by holding a tasting contest and then auctioning off or selling individual pieces of the Blueberry Cheesecakes to the crowd.
Try a New Variety of Blueberry Cheesecake
Don’t let Blueberry Cheesecake Day pass by without sampling all the varieties of this cake the world has to offer. Most people will be delighted and amazed at just how many ways it can be prepared and enjoyed!
Consider these ideas for a new take on this favorite classic dessert:
- Add to the fun by using Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice in the recipe to give a little pop of tangy flavor.
- For a truly Italian flare, add a little bit of Honey to the Graham Cracker Crust and then pile fresh Mint and fresh Blueberries on top of the Cheesecake.
- Instead of an actual Cheesecake, try Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins! Simply make a normal Blueberry Muffin Recipe, but add a dollop of Sweetened Cream Cheese in the middle and bake.
Here are today’s five food facts about Cheesecake:
- Cheesecake is a dessert formed of a topping made with soft, fresh Cheese upon a base made from Biscuit, pastry or sponge. The topping is frequently sweetened with Sugar and flavored or topped with a puree or compote of fruit.
- Savory Cheesecakes exist, served sometimes as hors d’oeuvre or with Salads. Despite their name, Cheesecakes are technically tarts; the word ‘cake’ was formerly applied to a much broader category of foods than it is today.
- Cato the Elder’s De Agri Cultura includes recipes for two cakes for religious uses: Libum and Placenta. Of the two Placenta is most like modern Cheesecake having a crust that is separately prepared and baked.
- Cheesecakes can be broadly categorised into two types – baked and unbaked. Each comes in a variety of styles determined by region.
- Japanese-style Cheesecake relies upon the emulsification of Cornstarch and Eggs to make a smooth flan-like texture and almost plasticine appearance.
Recipe: Blueberry Cheesecake
1 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons white sugar
¼ cup melted butter 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup sour cream ¾ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 eggs
2 cups frozen blueberries, dry pack ⅓ cup blueberry jelly
Directions
- Step 1 Combine crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter. Pat mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
- Step 2 Mash cream cheese until soft and creamy. Gradually beat in sour cream, 3/4 cup sugar, vanilla and flour. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Step 3 Pour mixture into crumb-lined pan. Bake in a preheated 325 degree F (165 degrees C) oven for 1 hour or until firm to the touch.
- Step 4 Cool and then remove cake from pan by loosening edges with a knife. Place frozen blueberries on top of cake. Melt jelly and spoon over blueberries to glaze. Chill until ready to serve.
National Cherry Dessert Day
A lot of people love a good Cherry Cobbler as much as the next person. Once again isn’t me or Charlie. But David likes Cherry Cobbler just like his dad.
For those of you who don’t know, Cherry Cobbler is a baked dessert made with a rich Cherry filling and a Biscuit Cough Crust. The Cherry Cobbler first came into existence in the 19th century when bakers had to modify recipes due to the scarcity of ingredients. You could say that the Cherry Cobbler is a cooler version of a Cherry Pie!
History of National Cherry Cobbler Day
It is said that the Cherry Cobbler originated in the early British American Colonies and came about as a lack of appropriate ingredients and cooking equipment.
The English missed their traditional Suet Puddings and settled for baking Cherry Cobblers. The recipe was improvised over the years and today the Biscuit Dough is often made of Oats (instead of Flour) and topped with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream!
What started as a recipe of scarcity has now become a cult favorite dessert, although, its mystery how it got its name. Some suggest that the word ‘Cobbler’ has evolved from ‘cobeler,’ which was a type of wooden bowl used in cooking back in the day.
Meanwhile, some believe that the name may be the result of the dessert’s resemblance to a cobblestone! Whatever the reason might be, National Cherry Cobbler Day is a much-loved day among all dessert lovers.
The origin of the Cobbler dates back to the early 19th century and it has its roots in both European and American cuisine. Apart from Cherries, a Cobbler may also be made from Apples, Apricots, and Plums. Spices like Cinnamon, Pumpkin-Pie Spice, or Nutmeg are often also used in small quantities for flavoring.
How to celebrate National Cherry Cobbler Day
- You could bake a Cherry Cobbler which is thhe most obvious way to celebrate National Cherry Cobbler Day. Get the reddest, juiciest Cherries, and don’t shy away from adding your own twist to the recipe!
- Order in Cherry Cobbler if your too lazy to bake a Cherry Cobbler. Add your favorite Ice Cream to the Cobbler for an extra dose of deliciousness.
- Send the dessert to your friends with a sweet tooth If your friend loves they’ll love you for this ‘sweet’ gesture!
Facts about the Cherry Cobbler:
- The pie crust is made of Biscuits. The crust of a regular Cherry Cobbler is made of Biscuits — bakers usually prefer unsweetened Crackers for the base of Cobblers.
- It is an accidental recipe The English somehow scraped together the ingredients to bake the first Cherry Cobbler because they missed their traditional pies and had to come up with the cobbler!
- It’s always eaten with ice cream. Pies are usually eaten with Whipped Cream. But Cherry Cobblers are best enjoyed with Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Cherries are nutrient-rich and they are a fantastic source of important nutrients like Vitamin C and Antioxidants, and they’re good for people of all age groups!
- Cherries keep your heart healthy because Cherries are rich in Antioxidants and have Anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce the risk of heart diseases!
Why we love National Cherry Cobbler Day
- Everyone loves Cherry Cobbler and that’s why it’s always great fun to celebrate National Cherry Cobbler Day!
- It’s a day to take a day off from your diet?Have a generous helping of this delicious dessert.
- Its a day to try out a new recipe and if you’ve never had Cherry Cobbler before thihis is the day to try out a brand new recipe. Get together with your family and try out dessert.
Cherry Cobbler
½ cup Butter 1 cup all-purpose Flour 1 cup white Sugar 1 teaspoon Baking Powder 1 cup Milk 1 (21 ounce) can Cherry Pie Filling
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Place butter or margarine in a 9×13 inch baking dish and set on oven rack to melt.
- Step 2 In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder. Stir in milk.
- Step 3 Remove baking dish from oven as soon as butter or margarine is melted. Pour flour mixture into dish, but DO NOT STIR. Pour fruit evenly into pan, and DO NOT STIR.
- Step 4 Raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake cobbler for 50 to 60 minutes, until golden brown.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
