20th of September and it's time for another Sweet World Challenge and this month, we decided to invite you to bake a Cheesecake.
Yes, it has to be baked!
Cheesecake is a dessert that has stood the test of time.
From its earliest recorded beginnings on Samos over 4,000 years ago to its current iconic status around the world, this creamy dessert remains a favourite for sweet teeth of all ages.
The first cheesecake was probably produced on the Greek island of Samos. Back then, this delicious dessert was believed to be a powerful source of energy. Even during the first Olympic Games in Greece, in 776 BC, cheesecakes were served to the athletes. Wedding couples were also served and cherished with this amazing dessert.
The New Yorkers fell in love with cheesecakes back in the 1900s. The credit for the creation of the NY cheesecake is bestowed upon Arnold Reuben (1883-1970). Even though he is best known for his signature sandwiches, Arnold Reuben is generally credited for creating the New York Style cheesecake. Reuben was born in Germany and he went to America when he was young.
The NY styled cheesecake was actually an experiment that Reuben did with a cheese pie. He was invited to a party where he was served with a cheese pie, and he was so dodged by the dish, that he started experimenting with it and came up with what we know today, as the NY Cheesecake.
The Classic New York style cheesecake is served with just the cake - no fruit, chocolate or caramel is served on the top or on the side. This famously smooth-tasting cake gets its signature flavour from extra egg yolks in the cream cheese cake mix.
Saying that, New York is not the only place in America that puts its own spin on cheesecakes.
In Chicago, sour cream is added to the recipe to keep it creamy.
Philadelphia cheesecake is known for being lighter and creamier than New York style cheesecake and it can be served with fruit or chocolate toppings.
In St. Louis, they enjoy a gooey butter cake, which has an additional layer of cake topping on the cheesecake filling.
Each region of the world also has its own take on the best way to make the dessert. Italians use ricotta cheese, while the Greeks use mizithra or feta. Germans prefer cottage cheese, while the Japanese use a combination of cornflour and egg whites. There are specialty cheesecakes that include blue cheese, seafood, spicy chilies and even tofu!
Despite of all the variations, the popular dessert’s main ingredients - cheese, wheat and a sweetener - remain the same so, if you're interested, choose the kind of cheesecake you want to make and BAKE IT!
