The Dessert Blog

When you decide to include a truly gourmet cheesecake as your dessert, be certain its look on the plate is as elegant as the dessert. A meal, especially at the end, should appeal to the visual sense as well. These are some suggestions, but, of course, you may add your own individual touches.

New York Style Cheesecake: This is what most people would think of as the basic, plain or “unflavored” cheesecake. Frankly, it is anything but unflavored! However, its flavor will adapt well to nearly all additions. Well, maybe not broccoli! I suggest that you should consider complimenting the rich flavor of this versatile cake by placing a healthy amount of hot caramel topping around the plate.

Blueberry Cheesecake: Buy an exceptional quality blueberry preserve. Mix in a sufficient amount of fresh lemon juice to dilute the preserves so that the mixture will come off a spoon on its own. Drizzle the diluted preserves in a zigzag pattern across top of the cake. The tartness of the juice will provide a nice counterpoint to the sweet taste of the preserves and cheesecake.

Turtle Cheesecake is already a smyphony of colors, textures and tastes. Instead of seeking a counterpoint, which might disturb the balance, drip a semicircle of chocolate syrup around one side of the plate and semicircle of caramel around the other side.

Pumpkin Cheesecake, a holiday season favorite, is even smoother than the more traditional pumpkin pie. Cut a festive hole in some paper–tree shaped or a five pointed star. Center the paper over the top of the slice. In the hole, gently shake cinnamon.

Sugar Free Cheesecakes–no sugar added: Regardless of the flavor of the cake, a mint sprig atop the widest part of the cheesecake slice, will dress it up wonderfully without adding any additional sugar.

The presentation is impacted not just by what’s on the plate but also the character of the plate, itself. Of course, your everyday dishes will serve your purpose. But the added storage space in modern kitchens permit many of us to have more creative alternatives. People have unique salsa and chip servers, instead of the old fashioned bowls. Why not choose plates that you use only for the special dessert celebrations?The appearance is affected not only by the contents of the dish but additionally by the nature of the platter, itself. Certainly, the small plates that are part of your china set will serve your purpose. But the additional storage areas in modern homes permit many of us to keep specialty plates. Many people have unique salsa and chip servers, instead of the old fashioned bowls. Why not get special serving pieces that you use for those spectacular dessert celebrations?

Cheesecakes are a terrific–and somewhat expensive–addition to an exquisite meal or a casual barbeque. Dedicate a bit of time to accentuate the smooth texture of this marvelous dessert with your signature additions.

Tags: cheese cake, cheesecake, chocolate turtle cheesecake, gourmet, new york cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, turtle cheesecake