About Me

I live in a small poke town within an hour of the California coast where there are more vineyards than people with my husband and three children and various pets. James Dean's tree is within walking distance and the James Brothers were also known to ride these hills. I was born to the son of Lutheran missionaries and the daughter of Catholic hypocrites. I'm a Zionist. I was born and raised in California where liberal ideas become gods, and conservative ideals are evil. Unfortunately, it's illegal to have morals in California. I'm one of the evil ones. I take my frustrations out on my houseplants, all 300+ of them.

Recipes & Procedures


Apple Pie Cheesecake

Apple Pie Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons caramel topping
whipped cream
4 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease a 9 or 10-inch springform pan.
  3. Combine the first six ingredients and press into the bottom of the prepared springform pan.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes and cool on a wire rack.
  5. In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
  6. Add the eggs and beat on low until just combined.
  7. Stir in vanilla.
  8. Evenly pour over the baked crust.
  9. Toss the apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and carefully spoon over the cream cheese mixture.
  10. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until center is almost set.
  11. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  12. Carefully run a knife around the edge of cheesecake to loosen.
  13. Drizzle with 4 T of the caramel topping.
  14. Continue to cool for 1 hour.
  15. Place in the fridge overnight.
  16. Remove sides from the pan.
  17. Just before serving garnish with whipping cream, chopped pecans and the remaining caramel.