Its true. I have officially become Foodzilla. I couldn't help it, I just snapped. Why? Someone said they were bringing a store-bought grocery store cake to an event where I was planning all of the food. Uh-uh. That ain't happenin' sister. EVER. Keep that crap as far away from me as you can, or I will go all crazy Kung fu Panda on your ass. Not cool.
I was able to smooth things over after my initial reaction: pure rage. We talked respectfully to each other, she heard my side of the story and promised me "no store-bought grocery store cake".
GAWD! When did I turn into such a food snob?
In all fairness, I was jointly planning this event with someone who knew nothing of my skills in the kitchen, and in the end everyone was pleased. The food was for a good friend's bridal shower and it all went off without a hitch. The favorite of the day? German Chocolate Cheesecake. Uh huh.
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| Me and Ashley, the bride-to-be |
It fills me with unreasonable amounts of joy to plan menus, cook for hours and then watch people devour my works of "art". And this time I got to cook and create alongside my best girlfriend, her mom and our three amigos. It was the most fun I've had in the kitchen in a long time. If anyone else wants to get married I'd be happy to throw you a shower...or at least make you a bunch of food!
German Chocolate Cheesecake
Adapted from Midwest Living
Serves 12-14
Cheesecake:
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
9 graham cracker sheets
1/2 cup pecans
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut24 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Topping:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
To make the cheesecake: Preheat oven to 350F.
Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl on high power for 1 minute. Stir the chocolate and if it isn't melted continue to microwave in 20 seconds increments until chocolate is smooth and melted. Set aside to cool.
Add graham crackers to the bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground crumbs are formed. Pour crumbs into a medium sized bowl. Add pecans to processor bowl and process until finely chopped (make sure not to over-process or you will end up with pecan butter!) and add to the bowl with the graham cracker crumbs. Add coconut to bowl, stir until well combined and then pour melted butter over the top. Stir with spoon or using your hands until butter is thoroughly incorporated. Press into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned. Set aside.
Increase oven temperature to 375F.
In the bowl of a stand mixer beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and vanilla on medium speed until thoroughly combined, about 2-3 minutes. Add the flour, beat well. Add the eggs and cooled chocolate and beat until just combined.
Pour cream cheese mixture on top of the crust and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center appears to be almost set when you jiggle it. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.
To make the Topping: In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add brown sugar, cream and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in the coconut, pecans and vanilla. Remove from heat and allow to cool 5 minutes. Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and set aside to cool.
Using a knife, gently trace the inside of the pan to release the cheesecake from the sides, then loosen the side of the springform pan and remove it. Spread the coconut topping over the cheesecake (the cheesecake will still be warm). Using a spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate over the coconut. Garnish with a few whole pecans if desired.
Put the springform ring back on the cheesecake, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving and then...
Eat it!!!
Love Anna's shades in the kitchen...she's super cool :) And I'm TOTALLY making this. Congrats to Ashley!
ReplyDeleteSo fun! I totally wouldve gone all foodzilla too :P
ReplyDeletelol your story cracks me up, but I totally agree. if you can work art in the kitchen, then theres no need for store bought cake with that gross sugary frosting. Love this cake btw sounds crazy delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh. my. This sounds amazing! Way better than store bought cake!!
ReplyDeleteWhaaaa???? The only thing worse is, "I'm just gonna use canned frosting, it's totally the same." Gag. Times a billion.
ReplyDeleteCall me a food snob too, girl. Cause there ain't no store-bought shizzle coming from MY home.
ReplyDeleteEverything just tastes better with some homemade love sprinkled in. And this??? It looks DIVINE!!!
Foodzilla! You are so funny calling yourself a Foodzilla! Chocolate cheesecake cake baked by a Foodzilla - totally awesome!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, after I started baking a lot more lately, I feel obligated too to bring home-cooked for any gatherings rather than buying anything off the stores.
First off, your recipe looks A-MaZ-InG!!! I can already feel my pants getting tight and I don't care! =]
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the food snob thing, it's okay...embrace it and wear it proudly! I was so annoyed when I put together a huge dinner party where I made everything from scratch and my friend showed up with a bag of chips and a can of dip as the appetizer. Yikes! I hid it behind a bouquet of flowers. ha ha
Hahaha well I guess Im a foodzilla too!!! Why have store bought cake when you can have something as yummy as this cheesecake? Looks amazinggggg, its not wonder it was everyones favorite!!
ReplyDeleteFunny story, food snob, I love it, but then look at this cheese cake. Killer.
ReplyDeleteha- you go girl, I do not like store bought cake at any event.Your cheesecake is one tasty homemade reason why! Looks like everyone is having fun in these pictures-see what good food can do? Delicious post!
ReplyDeletelove the post - i definitely get foodzilla-ish(?) as well, i can't help it! that cake sounds soooooo delicious! awesome recipe!
ReplyDeleteLol foodzilla :P
ReplyDeleteI agree with you entirely though - it is so not food snobbery, but the truth!
Amazing cake that I would go foodzilla for :D
Cheers
CCU
Haha, if it makes you feel any better, I am exactly the same way! Store-bought stuff comes nowhere near my mouth! Your cake looks gorgeous; much better than anything a grocery store could've dished out.
ReplyDeleteLol! I guess I'm a foodzilla too...I just had a few friends over for my daughters birthday last minute and they thought I went all out with homemade pizzas and salads....I was feeling bad for not making more :). I LOVE this cheesecake! German Chocolate cake is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteHaha... funny. I detest store bought cakes and would rather go without. German Chocolate is my daughter's favorite... I'm going to pass this recipe on to her.
ReplyDeleteoo... Nice come back with this cheesecake. Store bought cakes have something to them that's just not right. I would very much allow hot cross buns and certain pastries. Although I have to admit that I've had a few pieces of grocery store bought cakes myself. But as a baker, those cakes are a stab at my pride. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, some days being a foodzilla is a good thing. And if it's a day that ends in cheesecake all the better.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the blushing-bride to be...This is really a wonderful treat! As usual, you have wonderful pictures. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteMy friends can't stand me sometimes because I have that food snob complex. It's even worse that I'm in culinary school too because I try to explain things to them that they don't understand and it frustrates us all. At the end of the day we just have to laugh at it though, we are who we are! =) This cheesecake sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think the phrase "crazy Kung Fu Panda on your ass" may have to enter my personal lexicon. It made me laugh. What a great-looking cheesecake...much better than store-bought cake.
ReplyDeleteI love "foodzilla!" Hahahahaha. I've also become a store bought cake snob. There's no talking to me on the subject... :)
ReplyDeleteI am a food snob as well ;)! This German chocolate cheesecake sounds wonderful! I am not surprised it was a hit at the shower ;)!
ReplyDeleteIt looked better than store bought cake and I like your painting on the cake.
ReplyDelete