My 1st Cheesecake? ... Well, sort-of


#1

Well, if I said this was my first time making a cheesecake, that would be a horrendous lie. - I’ve actually probably made somewhere around 500, if not more. :slight_smile: I’ve been making cheesecakes for nearly 20 years, I would guess. (Get a lot of orders from folks at work, but also have a store near me that’s been ordering them for around 5 years now? … But I can say this was my first attempt at a 'Keto Friendly" Cheesecake.

So like any meals that I do, I like to make up my own recipes. Tonight was my first attempt, and I won’t know how it came out until I decide to eat again. (Another unplanned fast, since I haven’t eaten since Tuesday night.) But will probably just go to maybe Friday or Saturday?

Anyway, this is how I decided to make the first one. Decided to try using Erythritol first, even though I wasn’t sure how well it would break down while cooking? I’ve heard others speaking about it being a bit crunchy, but I can’t recall how they used it? Plus, I was told by one guy that it causes him to feel bloated when he uses it?

Crust:
Almond Flour - 1-1/2 cups
Cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
Erythritol - 1 teaspoon
4 table spoons butter (Melted) - First time using Almond flour, but think it was a tad wet? Maybe 2 or 3 tbsp?

Filling:
Cream Cheese - 3 - 8oz. packages
Large Eggs - 3
Sour Cream - 4 oz.
1-1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Erythritol - 1 cup
Cream of Tartar - 1/2 Teaspoon (For added Potassium and to make it lighter/airier) Plus, I was looking for something to replace flour with this, and COT acts as a rising agent. So I thought it might suffice?

If all my numbers are correct for the ingredients, it tallied up to be 25 Net Carbs. (25.36 actually) I used an 8" Spring-Form pan, and it cooked for 55 minutes at 300 degrees on convection setting. And it actually looks pretty good. So hopefully it taste ok as well? - We’ll see…

Erythritol not shown on spreadsheet…


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(Terence Dean) #2

Nice let us know how it tastes. I made one using macadamias for the crust/base that was quite nice.


(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #3

Please let us know how it tastes, I am following this post and might try your Recipe :slight_smile:


#4

I will definitely let you know as soon as I try it. - I usually like to let my cheesecakes set up for 3 days anyhow, this allows it to get quite creamy. So if someone says they want one on say, Friday, I will usually make it Tuesday Night. Though you can actually eat cheesecakes after just 8 hours.

Thanks Terence, might have to try those macadamias. I debated mincing up some almonds to add some body to the crust, but being I’ve never use Almond Flour, I wasn’t sure how it would do on it’s own? Figure if I can get it to be similar to using graham crackers, It should work?

Thanks again


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

This is bascially the same as Harlan Kilstein’s Perfect Keto Cheesecake, but the yield will be a bit smaller, since Kilstein’s recipe uses an additional egg, an additional 8 oz. of cream cheese, and four times the amount of sour cream. I have no idea how including cream of tartar would affect the result, since it is not called for in any of the cheesecake recipes I have made.

I’ve made this recipe with coconut flour substituted for for the almond flour, and it worked just as well.


#6

Yeah, I like to experiment, and I was thinking the COT (Cream of Tartar) would be a good replacement for flour. Actually the cake rose a little higher than I wanted, so will probably take it back to 1/4 COT. Also, it dropped about 1/4 inch, so I will cut approx. 5 minutes off, making bake time 50 min.

If my numbers are correct, it should be just about 3.125 carbs per slice, if divided into 8 as shown.

Here’s a pic of how it came out. My son will be eating a piece after he finishes his meal. I will try it as soon as I decide to break my fast, which will probably be tomorrow or Saturday. 48 hours in presently.

Also, I’m interested in checking out the crust. I have some other ideas, if this one isn’t what I want. So testing will be going on for a bit. Also want to try some other sugar substitutes.

NOTE: Will have to check the one you posted. Maybe it has different ingredients that I could try? Thanks


(Gabe “No Dogma, Only Science Please!” ) #7

Holy moly this looks excellent. I bought the ingredients for this last night because I’ve been meaning to make it for 2 years (!) and recently saw a similar recipe in the Ketogenic Bible. Can’t wait to try it!


#8

Cheers, Gabe. Can’t say how it is yet myself, since I haven’t tasted it, and I’m experimenting. But my son said it’s good, though he did say it was a little sweet. So I will see what I think in the next couple days, if needed make some adjustments.

Paul, posted another recipe above, but again, I haven’t seen or tried it, so can’t say how good it is? Either way, please let me know how it goes. Always good to get some input. Thanks…


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

That amount of sweetener is too sweet if you’ve been ketotic for a while. I generally use around 1/2 a cup. But put in the full amount when making this recipe for sugar burners.

I did that for the cheesecake I took to the church picnic on Sunday, and seven or eight people made a point of raving to me about how good it was. On the other hand, I made the same recipe for Easter dinner, but used half the sweetener. I found it plenty sweet, but the other diners all complained that it needed more sweetener. So a word to the wise.


#10

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking as well, that I would probably find it too sweet. But had to start somewhere. :slight_smile:

Funny thing is, my wife just tried a piece, and she said she didn’t find it too sweet, and hasn’t started Keto yet. Supposed to start this Saturday, but is presently not feeling well.


(Gabe “No Dogma, Only Science Please!” ) #11

I cannot wait to make this. Seriously.

Kind of nervous about baking though. Most cooking is more art than science, so there’s a lot of room for stuffing it up. Baking is much more precise…


#12

I’m sure it will come out fine. it’s a fairly simple recipe, and the main thing is to know your oven. - I set mine at 300 degrees, using the convection setting. The fan distributes the air more evenly, but other ovens I’ve had used a different time. You have to find out what works for each. … The one thing you want to watch for, is light cracking to start to form around the perimeter of the cake. Once you see this, it’s pretty much done, and the center should appear to be sunken in some, due to the edge raising. (Again, I think the butter in the crust should be lower then 4 tbs. since it’s a bit wetter than needs be. You should be able to form it, light a lightly wet sand. But if bumped, it will collapse. This is when it’s at it’s best. … If it helps, I will post my process. It’s quite simplistic really.

First, I make the crust and form it into the springform pan. I microwave the butter and add to the dry mix, then stir until it all looks dampened, but pliable. Then form it into the pan. - Once done, I place it in the fridge until I finish the cake batter. (I used to bake it for 10 minutes or so, when I first started making cheesecakes, but found it’s not really needed. Plus the butter in the crust mix tightens up when cold, so this helps keep form.)

Next I take out the cream cheese and set a timer for 30 minutes. (Allows it to soften some) Around 25 minutes later, I pre-heat the oven and start getting the ingredients together. Crack the eggs into a glass, get the sour cream ready, as well as the sweetener. Then place all the cream cheese into the mixing bowl. (Basically I’m ready to start mixing about when the 30 minute timer goes off.

I mix the cream cheese first on high, allowing it break down some, for a minute or so. Then slow down the speed to add the vanilla & sour cream and sweetener. (This is when you can mix it well within adding too much air. But don’t over-mix, which will cause cracking) Once that’s blended, switch to a lower setting and add the eggs one at a time, allowing the egg to blend in before adding the next. Blend only until combined, because over blending will cause cracking.

Pour batter into springform pan and bake at 300 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Depends on the oven. (Cheesecakes don’t like it when you keep opening the door, so do so sparingly. (Mine has a glass front which helps) Once slight cracking forms around the edges, you should be good. … I set mine on a wire rack and allow it to cool for 30-40 minutes, before refrigerating. - Once refrigerated, allow it to set up for at least 8 hours, or up to three days before serving. (I like giving it three days since it tightens up nice and gets very creamy. Even at 8 hours I find the center tightened, but still not as creamy as the outer edges.)

Additionally, it really helps a LOT to have a stand mixer when making cheesecakes! Cream cheese can be hard on a mixer, and I have worn out quite a few. I actually have (two) 6-Quart Kenmore Elite Mixers presently, since they are heavy duty and handle the cheesecakes mix well.

Using a hand mixer for cheesecakes… though it’s doable, it’s not an easy task and can be a chore! Mainly due to the heavy mix of cream cheese. - I’ve had to do this myself, when my mixer broke and I had some orders. Hence, having two mixer noted above. … If I had to use a hand mixer now, I would definitely let the cream cheese soften up even more, to take some of the toll of the mixer.

Though the above may seems like a lot, it’s really not that hard. Let us know how it comes out. … I may be trying mine tonight? But still not sure. It will be tomorrow at the latest, which will put it at three days as well. :slight_smile:

Oh, one last thing… Though I don’t use a water-bath as some do (says it helps prevent cracking) I highly recommend placing a cookie sheet under the cheesecake, since butter will sometimes drip out and burn in the bottom of the oven. I have around 12 springform pans, and it happens every once in a while, no matter which one I use. (I’ve also not had a cheesecake crack on me in about 12 years.)


#13

Well, I broke my fast today at 67 hours. Felt fine, but had what felt like a gas bubble in my chest all morning. Didn’t hurt or anything, but just like I couldn’t burp it out? More of an empty feeling, like you get in your stomach, but in my chest. … Anyway, I ate a small salad and 30/40 minutes later, tried a piece of the cheesecake. No more empty feeling either.

Overall, the cheesecake wasn’t bad, just a tad sweet, and crunchy. I believe that the Erythritol has given it a ‘crystalline-crunch’? This is more predominate in the crust, but does show itself in the filling as well, mostly on top. Think I will reduce the amount to 2/3 cup for the filling and possibly look at how to break it down for the crust. Maybe adding it to the melted butter, to help break the granulars down. Also will drop Cream of Tartar to 1/4.

I still plan to try out other sweetener/s, but haven’t decided on which one yet. Think I will try doing a Chocolate Mint Cheesecake next time. Though I won’t be able to use my original recipe, since I use ‘Andy’s Mint Candies’ as the crust. (Those little chocolate thin mints, with the green mint stripe running through them.)


(Candy Lind) #14

The majority of non-sugar sweeteners don’t melt or caramelize like sugar. To lose the granular mouth feel, powder it in a blender (and reduce the measure you use accordingly) (or buy powdered if you want someone else to do the work for you).


#15

Thanks, Candy. I was starting to think the same thing after looking at the other sweeteners I do have here at home. Seems most are made in the crystalized form, but don’t think it would be too hard to break them down.

Thanks


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #16

My recipe says to beat the erythritol together with the eggs, before adding any of the cheese. I don’t notice any granular texture, except in the crust, which is supposed to be a bit crunchy, since it’s mimicking Graham crackers.


(Gabe “No Dogma, Only Science Please!” ) #17

So I ended up having to ad lib some of the recipe; I’d run out of vanilla extract so I ended up subbing in some ground Lily’s chocolate chips and some cocoa powder. And I didn’t have a cake tin so I ended up making what effectively became chocolate cheesecake brownies. Delicious and extraordinary that I could binge on this last night and feel fine today. Just shows to what extent sugar and carbs are completely unnecessary.


#18

Hey that works. I’ve also made cheesecake brownies.

There’s many things you can do, that’s why I like to experiment! I’ve created quite a few things over the years. And yep, who needs sugar/carbs… I plan to make a few small changes to the mix above, but will also be making the next one chocolate. - Either Chocolate mint or plain Chocolate.

Also looking to make some fat bombs today, to help the wife and son. Since they don’t eat some of the other things I do. No yogurts, sour cream, etc. So I thought this might be useful.

Cheers


(Terence Dean) #19

Looks great Dave! Let us know when you have the right amount of sweeteners and the COT right, I’m interested in knocking one of these together.


(Diane) #20

I almost always use the powdered form of sweeteners like erythritol (Swerve confectioners and Sukrin Melis). I think they mix into recipes better without the grainy texture. You can also take the granulated version and grind it up in a Spice grinder or Magic Bullet type device to make your own.

Even when I use a low carb recipe, I generally start with 1/2 the amount of sweetener called for and go from there. I got tired of recipes that were way too sweet (or had way too much sweetener which makes for a stronger “after taste” with stevia and erythritol).