Why did I choose a New York style cheesecake as a non-traditional choice for my mother’s birthday?
Well, it’s a little more complicated than it might seem at first.
My family is spread across the Eastern half of the country, but we’re fortunate. We have a lovely
place on a beautiful lake in the wooded North. Each family has its own cottage for some private
time, but we can all get together to enjoy each other any time during our special “family week.” No
we’re not wealthy! My grandfather bought the land and built most of the cottages between the late 1930s and early 1950’s. Real estate was a bit cheaper in those days. My family ran it as a summer work for about five decades. We now save it just for the family and our very closest friends.
We scheduled last summer’s family week to coincided with our mother’s birthday. (It was a “special” birthday, but I don’t know if I’m allowed to say which special birthday. Let’s just say that it wasn’t her sixteenth!)
We are a family of good cooks–men and women–but none of us are particularly accomplished bakers.
Most have a dessert specialty but no real versatility beyond their own signature sweet feature. In
fact, the only one who can bake a truly great cake is my mother. It didn’t seem fair to ask her to
bake the cake for her own birthday party, so I went to the shopping area I know best (the Internet).
I quickly decided on cheesecake, but then the decision became difficult. It’s sort of similar to
ordering pizza for a large group. There are so many choices. Should I get a variety of small
cheesecakes so that each person could be assured of their favorite? Should I choose my favorite and just say, “take it or leave it?” Should I make the rounds with my paper and pencil and take a vote?
I chose the New York cheesecake for two reasons. First, it’s the “basic” cheesecake, the first one
that anyone associates with the word “cheesecake.” Second, it can be easily modified with
accompaniments or decorations that can make it anyone’s favorite.
I bought some berries for people to add if they likes, whipped cream and even chocolate ice cream
for the chocoholics. (I didn’t do it for this occasion, but it’s also wonderful with fresh mint.)
It turned out that people were quite content to enjoy the creamy and delicious cheesecake by itself.
Honestly, two of my brothers-in-law added the ice cream, but I’ve decided they don’t count! It’s a combination I don’t endorse. The same two fought over the leftover pieces to take back to their own cottages, but I pointed out that it belonged to my mother. (She later shared with me. Don’t tell anyone, though.)
You’re probably wondering if the candles left unsightly holes in the dessert. They didn’t. After
all, when you reach that “special” age, you truly prefer no candles. (The fire marshall appreciates
that decision as well.)
The author would like to point out that his mother does not use the Internet, so she won’t read that
fire marshall comment. Greg Scott writes for an online store where you can order all sorts of
cheesecakes, including New York Cheesecake.
Tags: cheesecake, cheesecakes, new york cheesecake, new york cheesecakes
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