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Unbaked Cherry Cheese Cake

Just last week Anneliese shared a post on Last Times! I think most of us could hardly read that post without a dry eye. Today I am sharing a recipe post, which I remember fondly when Helen, our mother in law said that she would no longer be able to make her cherry cheesecake. I remembered this as our 'last' time, enjoying her specialty cake, and am still savoring those last bites.
So I visited with her this past month and asked her permission to use her recipe, her pans, and tools. She was more than delighted that I would consider keeping this Christmas recipe alive in our family. So I followed her recipe, as she described with full details each step, and realized that I could continue serving Helen's most delightful cheesecake. The beauty of this recipe is that you can make this in advance, a few days before your event. With a bit of optimism, we have been able to revive her recipe for our next Christmas gathering.
  • 1 1/3 cup graham wafer crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter (melted).
  • 250 grams cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1 cup icing sugar
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped hazel nuts
  • 1 cup whipping cream ( to be whipped)
  • 2 tablespoons icing sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla instant pudding powder
  • 540 ml (19oz.) cherry pie filling
    1. Combine graham wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press onto the bottom of a 9" springform pan.
    2. Chill for 30 minutes
    3. Combine cheese and icing sugar. Mix until blended and fluffy. Spread over graham wafer crumbs.
    4. Sprinkle with hazelnuts
    5. Beat whipping cream, icing sugar, vanilla, and then mix in pudding powder.
    6. Spread over nuts.
    7. Cover pan with saran wrap and chill several hours.
    8. Spread cherry pie filling evenly over all.
    9. Cover again and chill several hours or overnight.
    Now you know why some of Helen's tools hold a high price. This orange lifter is called a Kuchenretter, made in Germany, which is a must in every kitchen. It lifts the cake with ease as it slides onto your platter.

    13 comments:

    1. In your pics I see you have the vanilla sugar and whip it. I know to use the whip it in the cream but did you mean to write vanilla sugar and not just vanilla?

      My grandmother always made one like this minus the nuts but will definitely add them to the next one I made, it looks beautiful.

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    2. Marg - you did a super job and so nice of you to keep the family tradition going - I'm sure it means so much to your MIL! Love the kuchenrertter - I have an obsession with kitchen gadgets such as these....need more drawers though!

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    3. Hi Tracey..I add that sometimes too my whipping cream instead of the vanilla and icing sugar..but not everyone has that product in their kitchen, so it was printed for the benefit of those who do not or could not find that product.
      Thanks.

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    4. Thanks Marg. I always have Dr. Oetker in my kitchen so wanted to make sure.

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    5. Marg.. that last photo.. I can hardly handle it... it looks so yummy!! Love how we can turn "last times" to "first times".

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    6. shirley reimer bertheletteDecember 21, 2011 at 2:24 PM

      just love your pics. Marg, <3 so nice of you to show us, things,we might not have on hand, and use what you have typed out..yes yes <3 it really looks so dish!!! might just be making this for my christmas dinner MARG ; HOW FAR AHEAD COULD I MAKE THIS LIKE 2 DAYS AHEAD? :)

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    7. So inviting! Are there any leftovers? I'm coming to taste test!

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    8. shirley reimer bertheletteDecember 21, 2011 at 4:06 PM

      JUDY YOU JUST CAN;T HAVE A TASTE TEST FIRST,,,AM BEFORE YOU ,SO THERE,,UNLESS OF COURSE YOU LIVE IN BC,,,AND NOT IN WINNIPEG ;) (LOL)

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    9. I just found your site and I am so glad I did. We lived in Germany for 4 years and Had a cake similar to this one. I thought I would never taste it again. My husband was Air force so we can get the ingredients on base. I will be making this for Christmas. Thank you so much.

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    10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    11. shirley reimer bertheletteDecember 22, 2011 at 3:10 PM

      Well,Well, Val. !!! that comment almost blew me away!!! when did you become a follower, NICE to hear from you

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    12. We in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia enjoyed this cheesecake for Christmas dinner dessert--everyone gave it rave reviews! My favorite Christmas gift? An autographed copy of your wonderful cookbook.

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    13. Thanks so much for sharing, I made this for our Christmas Eve dessert and according to my husband (who is a cheesecake conoisseur) this was the best cheesecake he's ever had, and best one I've ever made, and I've made A LOT of cheesecakes! This will definitely be my go-to recipe from now on!

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