Cooking with Astrid and Hiccup Season 2

Episode 3: Crack Proof Cheesecake

Episode 3: Crack Proof Cheesecake

"Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of cooking with Astrid and Hiccup. I'm Hiccup and this is my lovely co-host and girlfriend Astrid." Hiccup introduces as he and Astrid stand behind the counter.

"Hello everybody. Today we will be showing you how to make Crack Proof Cheesecake." Astrid said and then frowned. "Seriously!! Crack proof cheesecake?!"

"Yup" Hiccup said smiling as he got the ingredients out. "For the crust we'll need 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted."

"For the blueberry topping we'll use 2 tablespoons butter, 2 pints blueberries, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 lemon, juiced." As Hiccup said this he reached out to pluck a blueberry only for Astrid to slap his hand away.

"What is it with you and sugar lately?" Astrid asked while placing the blueberries out of Hiccup's reach.

"Nothing......really." Hiccup said defensively, but with one death glare from Astrid he caved.

"Fine!! My parents are coming into town this week and they want to meet you." Hiccup stated.

"And you don't want me to meet your parents?" Astrid began to frown as she asked.

"NO..no..." Hiccup said quickly. "I want you to meet them, it's just that they tend to nitpick."

"I'm sure I can handle them." Astrid said confidently.

"Uh......Ok. How about dinner at my place then." Hiccup quickly asked before getting the other ingredients.

"Pssst...... Is it me or is he whipped?" Tuffnut whispered to Fishlegs and Snotlout who tried to stifle their sniggers.

"Continuing on." Hiccup started. "For the filling we'll need 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese at room temperature, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 lemon, zest finely grated, 1 pint sour cream."

"Now we will prepare the crumb crust. In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients together with a fork until evenly moistened." Hiccup said as Astrid vigorously went to work. A little to vigorously but Hiccup decided to ignore that.

"Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Firmly press the mixture over the bottom and 1-inch up the sides on the pan, use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a glass. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling." Hiccup said this and heard Astrid whistling while coating the sides.

Astrid looked to Hiccup who was watching curiously.

"You seem awfully chipper all of the sudden." Hiccup stated as he put the pan in the refrigerator.

"Well I get to meet your parents and then you can meet mine for Thanksgiving." Astrid happily said as she got out a large bowl. "And yes Hiccup. I'll leave my knives at home when meeting your parents."

Hiccup breathed a sigh of relief to which Astrid only rolled her eyes at.

"Now we'll go on to prepare the filling. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute just until smooth and free of any lumps." Hiccup said and then watched Astrid at work.

"Astrid you don't have to beat it like you want to murder it!!" Hiccup shouted. "Use the handheld mixer."

"Yea yeah." Astrid commented as Hiccup face-palmed.

"Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to slowly beat until combined." As Hiccup said this he was watching the mixer settings like a hawk. He didn't want another blender incident.

"Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest. Blend in the sour cream. The batter should be well mixed but not overbeaten. Overbeating incorporates too much air and will cause the cake to puff when baking, then fall and crack when cooling. Pour filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula." Hiccup said as he helped Astrid with the pouring. Astrid then swiped some of the filling from the mixer.

"HMMMMM" She sighed happily. "Tasty"

"Looks like you also have a sweet tooth." Hiccup commented.

"No, I have a cheesecake tooth." Was retorted back.

"To prepare water bath we set the pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides. This will prevent water from seeping into the seams of the springform pan. Carefully set the cake pan in a larger roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan."

"Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle, it will firm up after chilling. Be careful not to overcook! Do not do a toothpick test in the cake's center, this will make a crack. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours to set up." Hiccup said as he put that cheesecake away and took out one made earlier for the show.

Just as he placed the cheesecake on the counter he saw Astrid sauntering up with a war hammer in her hand.

"Astrid!! What are you doing with that!!" Hiccup yelled.

"I'm going to check if that cheesecake really is crack proof." Astrid stated as she easily lifted the hammer.

"NOOOO!!!" Hiccup shouted and tried to protect the cheesecake as best as he could.

"The cheesecake isn't crack proof, only the crust!!" He quickly shouted.

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Then they shouldn't have named it crack proof cheesecake."

Snickers and groans of exasperation could be heard from the audience as Hiccup took the war hammer from Astrid. He barely managed to lift it, let alone drag it to the side.

"Demold and transfer to a cake plate. Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each cut." Hiccup said as Astrid got her knives and some plates. She was practically salivating as she saw the cheesecake.

"To make the blueberry topping we combine all ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring up to a slow boil and stir gently until the berries breakdown and release their natural juice. The consistency should remain a bit chunky. Cool to room temperature and serve on top of cheesecake." As Hiccup demonstrated this he saw Astrid take out some that was already premade. She place a very large dollop of topping on her slice of the cake and started munching.

"Well that's it for this episode. We hope to see you all again soon." Hiccup said while he and Astrid waved at the audience.

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Producer's note: (Looks in the refrigerator for some cheesecake)...... (sees none)......(frowns).........