Father’s Day. It is when we pause to say “Thanks Dad.” We may all have different ways and different reasons to say “thank you”. Some may be more traditional than others, but no matter how you say it, for most fathers it is a day when they replenish their sock supply, stock up on after shave or add, yet another, tie to their wardrobe. These are easy gifts for young children to pick out and purchase. But, if you have a little bit of time, you can add a special touch to your Father’s Day celebration.
When you take the time out of your day to bake something it shows that you truly appreciate the many hours that Dad devotes to his family. Baking with your children is both fun and an eye opener for they are creative in ways that only children can be. The keys to a successful baking project with your children is to (a) give up all hope of it being a neat project (b) use a simple recipe (c) let imaginations sore.
The following cheesecake recipe is both easy and looks magnificent whether or not you make smaller versions as in the photos or a full sized cheesecake. Since cheesecakes are a blank canvas you can have your child decorate it in any manner. You can also use whatever type of crust Dad likes best.
Blender Cheesecake:Batter Ingredients
200ml (1 cup) heavy cream 80g sugar (5 ½ tablespoons) 30ml cornstarch (2 tablespoons ) 200g cream cheese (This is a little less than 8oz. I used one block of cream cheese which is 8oz) vanilla (original recipe said “vanilla”. I added 1 teaspoon)
For the Crust 2 cups cookie crumbs of choice 2 tablespoons melted butter
For Decoration M&M’s or Dad’s favorite candy
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 170C or (approx.) 340F.
2. Prepare crust. Mash, into crumbs, your choice of cookies.
Children love to do this. While it is easier to use a food processor, children love to mash the cookies by placing them in a sturdy ziplock bag, and hitting them with a rolling pin. Make sure all air is out of the bag when it is zipped closed.) Once the cookies are crumbs, place into a bowl and mix in melted butter.
3. Using your fingertips, firmly press the crumbs into the bottom of a spring form pan. Any extra crumbs can be saved and used for decoration. Place the pan in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the batter.
4. Place all batter ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth.
5. Pour into prepared spring form pan.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes (If using several small pans, adjust baking time accordingly as they will cook faster.)
7. Remove cake from oven and cool completely.
8. Release from pan and decorate.
We would love to hear your favorite memories of Dad or your best Father’s day story!
Message to my Father: Thank you for reading me the same bed time story over and over and over and over even after a 16 hour work day and for enduring my squeaky voice as I did my best impression of the witch: “Nibble, nibble like a mouse. Who’s that nibbling on my house?” –From Hansel and Gretel.
myfudo
June 19, 2011 at 2:10 am //
These turned our fabulously Camille!
Dewi
June 23, 2011 at 4:30 pm //
Love your photography skill. You are truly talented. Perhaps you can share your photo tips in this blog one day.
myfudo
June 24, 2011 at 2:04 am //
Thank you Dewi, we just launched our blog on Fathers day!
Simone
June 26, 2011 at 6:25 am //
O this is lovely. I also baked something for my dad on father’s day (also because he really already has anything else he would want, so it seemed a natural gift..and I just know he loves it!) but I chose to make an orange-ricotta bundt cake. Delicious too!
myfudo
June 27, 2011 at 2:16 pm //
Thank you Simone. It’s so hard picking out a gift for fathers day, my dad seems to have everything. The orange-ricotta sounds dreamy.