Today is National Cheesecake Day! Besides Christmas and my own birthday, this has to be one of the best days out of the year for a foodie like me.
Cheesecake has a rich flavor, and nearly as rich a history, too. Records of cheesecake date back as far as 770 BC, when a cheesecake-like concotion was served up to Olympic athletes. How very appropriate being that we’re now in full Olympic season. I wonder if Hope Solo and Michael Phelps are digging into some of this decadent dessert to fuel their athletic endeavors? If only we were a fly on the wall in the Olympic kitchen.
Since its inception apparently centuries ago, cheesecake has been adopted as a favorite by many countries, including Europe, Latin America, Asia, and of course, the U.S. But this last one isn’t such a surprise as nearly every fellow countryman I know loves cheesecake. Not to mention we even have restaurant embassies erected in its honor. (Cheesecake Factory anyone?)
According to a write up on the holiday from Chiff.com, the two most popular forms of cheesecake in the U.S. remain New York and Philadelphia. New York is known for its ultra heavy, rich flavor, and features both cream cheese and heavy cream for its decadent appeal. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is a slightly lighter cheesecake, but is still by no means a health food with one slice containing about 340 calories, 25 grams of fat and 19 grams of sugar.
To celebrate this joyous occasion, we’ve put together a little recipe round-up in case you have cheesecake on the brain and simply can’t shake it off. And since your Monday night likely lies wide open for activities, we suggest getting in the kitchen and whipping up a batch of your favorite flavor.
Recipes:
Cheesecake Supreme from Chocolate and Carrots
I Can’t Believe It’s Good for Me Cheesecake
No Bake Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake from How Sweet It Is
If you don’t have the time or energy to make your own cheesecake, don’t fret! The Cheesecake Factory is offering an ‘any slice half price’ special today in honor of the holiday. If I were you, I’d get down there right away before they run out of your favorite flavor. Mine top pick is the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, which features a real white chocolate chip cookie for the crust! Don’t even get me started. Thank goodness for food holidays like National Cheesecake Day! They make foodie hearts like mine extra glad.
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