Today is the first Sunday of December and it brought with it a little surprise for us. I woke up this morning, rolled over to look out the window and saw that the big tree outside of our bedroom window was covered in gorgeous white snow! It had been snowing when we went to bed last night but I didn’t think it’d result in much accumulation. I came downstairs, grabbed my camera and took the photo above from the patio door in the back of our house. This was a perfect introductory storm. We only got a few inches and the sun came out immediately to start melting it for us. I look forward to more snow this winter, though I’m pretty sure I’m alone in that opinion.
On to today’s business… This week’s SMS, our last of the year, was chosen by Shandy of Pastry Heaven: chocolate espresso cheesecake with blackberry glaze! There is a lot of baking going on around here lately and only so many people to give things to so I decided to scale this recipe way back. Plus, the full recipe is baked in an 8″ springform, which I don’t own. I wound up going with 1/4 of the recipe, which yielded one full size cheesecake in my 4″ springform as well as enough leftover batter to make a second very thin 4″ cheesecake.
Aside from scaling the recipe back, I didn’t modify the ingredients at all. The recipe is simple, though there are a lot of steps and you will wind up with a sink full of dishes! I skipped the water bath when baking my minis and also disregarded the baking instructions in the book. With the oven at 300 F, I found that my minis needed about 30-35 minutes for the center to set. I took them out of the oven to cool on a rack, skipping the step of leaving them in the oven after turning it off. I didn’t have blackberry preserves so I skipped the glaze, opting instead to pipe a few small piles of whipped cream on top.
The verdict? The cheesecake was good – very creamy! It is, however, incredibly rich. I couldn’t eat more than a few bites so I was glad I’d opted for the minis. I’m going to share the full size mini with my mom tomorrow. She’s a big fan of the chocolate/cheesecake combo so I think she’ll really enjoy this dessert. Thanks to Shandy for hosting this week! You can find the recipe on her blog or in the book. We’ll be back in 2010 with more delicious recipes from the Sweet Melissa Baking Book – hope to see you then 
Lemon Bars
Glazed Grapefruit Cake
Orange Sherbet
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
Such pretty snow and such a beautiful cheesecake! The blackberry glaze sounds so intriguing with chocolate; I have an extra jar you could have had. Too bad we’re not close enough to share over the back fence…
If I were you, I’d be thrilled for a break from a baking group. I look forward to seeing more SMS posts in January.
Im a BIG fan of snow too and woke up Sat. to a winter wonderland! SO know your not alone when it comes to lots of snow!!
My cheesecake is in the oven right now for the first step in the baking routine! So far it has went well and smells good. I am putting a peanut butter glaze on top. Come on over later and I will have it posted!
I like your mini cheesecakes and don’t blame you for scaling down. Im really getting tired of all these sweets. I plan to take this to some friends tonight and share with them!
Yuuum! That sounds tasty. And I’m sooo jealous of your snow!
so jealous of your snow! and that cheesecake looks delish
Extremely envious of your gorgeous snow! This cheesecake looks gloriously decadent – delicious.
I don’t know which looks more lovely – the snow covered tree or the chocolate cheesecake. Both are winners.
I always like a simple cheesecake – so no glaze would work for me.
I would share with you in a heartbeat to give you another outlet for your goodies.
Your cheesecake turned out great. From your picture I can tell it’s pretty rich. You know what they say? Everything in moderation :o) Can’t wait to bake this one. I’ll have to wait a couple more days until I get my new oven.
So elegant and beautiful, the cheesecake. The snow is also beautiful as long as you promise to keep it there and not feel like you need to share it. I am definitely a summertime chick…how many months until the sun and green grass again? Sigh. Your cheesecake is so pretty!
Looks like a winner. I think I’d skip the blackberries in favor of whipped cream also! Enjoy your hiatus and holiday!
Your cheesecake looks beautiful!
We’re getting snow tonight. More to follow tomorrow and Tuesday!
Happy Holidays! See you in January!
Your cheesecake looks beautiful!
We’re getting snow tonight and more to follow tomorrow and Tuesday!
Happy Holidays! See you in January!
Love the picture of the snow! Beautiful. I miss the snow we used to get in upstate NY (I live in VA). Your mini cheesecake looks delicious.
Ooh, looks so rich and chocolatey! My husband would loooove this.
Great looking cheesecake! I went with minis as well. This was definitely rich! I only took a few bites as well!
Happy Holidays and Have a Happy New year!
Tracey, thank you for baking along with me this week =). I love your mini cheesecake and what a perfect size for such a rich cheesecake.
The picture of your pristine white blanket of snow is beautiful. Merry Christmas!
This looks super nice! SNOW!
I have not seen snow in about almost 2 years. Last time I was in Tahoe was Freshman year of college. California just typically does not get snow. haha.
Your cheesecake looks perfect! This one was a bit much for me; I was happy there were other people to eat mine this weekend.
The snow is so pretty, happy winter to you!
The snow was beautiful. Now if it would only return to 40 degrees after every snow fall! The cheesecake looks like a great accompaniment to a snowy day…
I’m hoping for more snow too! And it sounds like I could get some as soon as tonight! I also made a small cheesecake- very rich indeed….not that it stopped me from eating more than my share!
gorgeous snow photo! We’re supposed to get snow tonight and tomorrow and I’m excited!
MMmm, cheesecake.
Your cheesecake looks gorgeous!!! And look how beautiful that snow is!
Awww – the snow and your cheesecake are lovely!
Your cheesecake looks delicious! I loved this one. One of my favorite SMS treats by far. I made a small version, too, so one slice was pretty tiny. I’m sure a full-sized one would have been too much to handle. It is a very rich dessert. I love a pretty snow. I’ve lived in very cold & snowy climates most of my life, however, so I don’t at all miss a snowy winter. Once in a while is plenty for me!
What a spectacular photo! I envy you that view. This cheesecake looks so rich and delicious! Enjoy your SMS break…it will be January before you know it.
gorgeous cheesecake!
good luck on your search for those mint chips! Let me know how it goes! =)
How very pretty! Your photos are making me hungry :).
Beautiful picture of the snow! I am one of the few people who absolutely *loves* the snow… I’m hoping for a few blizzards this year (although don’t tell my friends and family that)!
Love the cake… It is beautiful. You had me at espresso!
i just say how very jealous i am of your snow covered yard? *crosses arms* i think we should house swap for a while
This looks just delicious!