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National Cherry Cheesecake Day: Easy steps to make delicious dessert at home

Cherry cheesecake is a beloved and smooth dessert that differs from the typically crumbly texture of most cakes

April 23 marks National Cherry Cheesecake Day, a day to savor the velvety dessert adorned with cherries loaded with antioxidants. This dessert has stood the test of time, dating back to 2,000 BC, and has undergone several transformations since then. While the cheese-based treat has always been a crowd-pleaser, its ingredients and presentation have evolved.

Cherry cheesecake is a beloved and smooth dessert that differs from the typically crumbly texture of most cakes. Instead, it boasts a creamy and pudding-like consistency, derived from its key ingredient of soft cheese.

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History of National Cherry Cheesecake Day

The history of National Cherry Cheesecake Day dates back to the late 1870s when cheesecake was developed and became the primary ingredient in a smooth dessert. Within a decade, Philadelphia Kraft was producing cream cheese on a large scale, making cheesecake more accessible than ever before. This led to the creation of the now-beloved New York-style cheesecake, featuring a delectable blend of cheese, cream, egg, and sugar, and a graham cracker crust. While the exact originator of adding cherries to this classic recipe remains a mystery, this simple garnish has become so iconic that it deserves a special day of celebration -- National Cherry Cheesecake Day!

Significance of National Cherry Cheesecake Day

1. With its origins dating back to ancient Greece in 2,000 BC, cherry cheesecake is a true classic that has stood the test of time and remains popular even today. It has a rich history and delightful taste making it an all-time favorite dessert.

2. When was the last time you baked a cheesecake from scratch? If it's been a while, then National Cherry Cheesecake Day is the perfect excuse to get in the kitchen with your loved ones, experiment with different recipes, and perfect your signature version!

3. Cheesecake is already a beloved dessert, and it only gets better with the addition of cherries. So, indulge yourself today and pick up a slice of this delicious treat from the grocery store, or better yet, make your own from scratch and savor every heavenly bite!

Easy steps to prepare Cherry Cheesecake at home

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter

4 (8 oz.) packages of softened cream cheese

1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1/3 cup of heavy cream

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 can of cherry pie filling

Cherry Topping:

5 cups (24 oz) frozen pitted cherries

1/2 cup (3.5 oz) granulated sugar

1/4 cup (2 fl oz) water

1 tablespoon (0.5 oz) cornstarch

1 teaspoon (0.17 oz) almond extract

Instructions

Prepare your oven to 350ºF and place the bottom oven rack on the lowest tier and the second rack in the center to prepare the graham cracker crust. To finely smash the graham crackers, utilize a food blender or a wooden rolling pin. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.

If desired, you can place a parchment paper circle at the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to prevent sticking. Spread the graham cracker mixture evenly over the parchment round, then press it down firmly with a flat measuring cup to compress the crust into the bottom and edges.

Bake the crust for 5 minutes at 350ºF and allow it to cool. You should be able to smell the toasty crust near the end of the baking time. Finally, place the 9-inch cheesecake pan inside a 10-inch cake pan.