Lavender Cheesecake

Lavender Cheesecake Recipe - Vegetarian French Dessert

Region / culture: France | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes | Servings: 8-10 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Lavender Cheesecake is a unique and delicious dessert that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the delicate floral notes of culinary lavender. This recipe is perfect for special occasions or for anyone looking to try something new and exciting in the world of desserts.

History

Cheesecake has been enjoyed for centuries, with variations of the dessert dating back to ancient Greece. The addition of lavender to cheesecake is a more modern twist, adding a subtle and aromatic flavor to the classic dessert.

Ingredients

crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp melted margarine

filling

4 (8 oz) bricks of cream cheese at room temperature (can substitute low fat)
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3.5 tsp ground culinary lavender

How to prepare

Additional sour cream may be tinted with purple food coloring.
Or try fresh raspberries.
Decorate with fresh lavender sprigs.
All ingredients should be at room temperature.
Heat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
Place a cookie sheet on the lower shelf and fill it with water.
Prepare the crust by mixing all ingredients together and patting into a 9-inch springform pan.
For the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, and vanilla at medium speed until blended.
Add eggs one at a time until mixed.
Blend in sour cream, lavender, and vanilla.
Pour the filling into the crust.
Put it into the oven on the shelf above the water-filled cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes.
Shut off the oven and open the door.
Let it cool to room temperature. This will help eliminate cracks.
Refrigerate overnight and add topping before serving.
ENJOY!

Variations

Try using different herbs or spices in place of lavender, such as rosemary or cardamom.
Experiment with different crusts, such as a chocolate cookie crust or a nut crust.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning the recipe.

- Be sure to bake the cheesecake in a water bath to ensure even cooking and prevent cracking.

- Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Lavender Cheesecake with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries for a beautiful and delicious presentation.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to beat the cream cheese mixture until smooth and creamy to ensure a silky texture in the finished cheesecake.

- Use a water bath to prevent the cheesecake from cracking during baking.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use butter in place of margarine in the crust.

- Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream in the filling.

Make Ahead Tips

Lavender Cheesecake can be made a day in advance and refrigerated overnight before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Decorate the top of the cheesecake with fresh lavender sprigs or edible flowers for a beautiful and elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve Lavender Cheesecake with a cup of herbal tea or a glass of sparkling wine for a delightful dessert pairing.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover Lavender Cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, allow the cheesecake to come to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Lavender Cheesecake contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Lavender Cheesecake contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Lavender Cheesecake contains approximately 20 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Lavender Cheesecake contains approximately 6 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Lavender Cheesecake is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy and eggs.

Summary

Lavender Cheesecake is a rich and indulgent dessert that is best enjoyed in moderation due to its high fat and calorie content.

Summary

Lavender Cheesecake is a unique and delicious dessert that is sure to impress your guests. With its delicate floral flavor and creamy texture, this cheesecake is a perfect ending to any meal. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The moment I found this recipe is etched in my memory forever. It was a warm summer afternoon, the sun shining brightly through the kitchen window as I rummaged through my collection of old cookbooks. I had always loved to cook, but this day I was feeling particularly inspired to try something new.

As I flipped through the pages of an old, weathered cookbook that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother, a delicate slip of paper fluttered out and landed on the counter in front of me. Curious, I picked it up and saw that it was a handwritten recipe for Lavender Cheesecake.

I was immediately intrigued. Lavender was not a flavor I had ever used in my baking before, but the idea of combining its subtle floral notes with the creamy richness of a cheesecake sounded absolutely divine. I knew I had to give it a try.

The recipe itself was simple, yet elegant. It called for a graham cracker crust, a creamy filling made with cream cheese and sour cream, and a hint of lavender extract to infuse the dessert with its unique flavor. I could practically taste the luscious cheesecake already.

Excited, I set to work gathering the ingredients I would need. I carefully measured out each one, following the instructions on the recipe to the letter. As I mixed the batter together, the scent of lavender wafted through the kitchen, filling the air with its sweet, floral fragrance.

Once the cheesecake was in the oven, I couldn't resist peeking through the oven door every few minutes to watch it bake. The golden crust began to form on top, and the edges of the cheesecake started to puff up ever so slightly. I knew it was almost ready.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, the timer dinged, signaling that the cheesecake was done. I carefully removed it from the oven and set it on the counter to cool.

As I waited for the cheesecake to set, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led me to this moment. Over the years, I had learned so much about cooking from a variety of sources – family recipes, cookbooks, cooking shows, and even friends who shared their own culinary creations with me.

But this recipe felt different. It felt like a gift from the past, a piece of culinary history that had been waiting for me to discover it. And as I took my first bite of the Lavender Cheesecake, I knew that it was something truly special.

The delicate lavender flavor danced on my taste buds, complementing the creamy richness of the cheesecake perfectly. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before – a unique blend of flavors that I knew I would cherish for years to come.

From that day on, Lavender Cheesecake became a staple in my baking repertoire. I would make it for special occasions, family gatherings, or simply as a treat for myself when I wanted to indulge in something sweet and luxurious.

And every time I made it, I couldn't help but think back to that fateful day when I had stumbled upon the recipe in my grandmother's old cookbook. It was a reminder of the joy and creativity that cooking brought into my life, and the endless possibilities that lay waiting to be discovered in every recipe, every ingredient, and every bite of food.

As I grew older, I passed the recipe down to my own children and grandchildren, hoping that they would find as much joy and inspiration in it as I had. And as I watched them bake their own Lavender Cheesecakes, I knew that the tradition would live on, connecting us across generations through the simple pleasure of a delicious dessert.

So here I sit now, an old grandmother with a lifetime of cooking experience behind me, still finding joy and solace in the simple act of baking a Lavender Cheesecake. And as I take a bite of the sweet, floral dessert, I can't help but smile, knowing that this recipe will always hold a special place in my heart – a reminder of the love, creativity, and delicious flavors that have enriched my life in so many ways.