Celebration Cheesecake

Light off some fireworks, it’s time for Celebration Cheesecake everyone!

It’s cool, creamy, stripped and has all the makings to be the next patriotic star of your party.

Celebration Cheesecake

Raise your hand if you remember Jell-o’s 123 Dessert.  It was a gelatin mix that was so easy to make and it turned out with 3 layers, the top one was like a mousse.  Well, that’s the inspiration for Celebration Cheesecake for those that love the USA and one of it’s favorite desserts.  Just think of all the ways you can make this yummy cheesecake; red and green for Christmas, orange and green for Halloween, and for those with BSU Fever, like me, we’ll go with BLUE and Orange for Fall tailgating parties!

Several steps are required, but it’s not at all hard.  It requires some time and planning is all.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1.  CRUST:  Begin by making your crust with cookie crumbs; graham crackers, vanilla wafers, chocolate wafers, oatmeal, or lemon cookies too.  If you’ve got a food processor, (and yes you do want one of these), it makes such perfect crumbs in just a few simple pulses, or put your cookies in a ziptop bag and smack them with a rolling pin until you’ve got the consistency you desire.  In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbs with sugar, chopped nuts, and butter and add them to the bottom of a 10″ non-stick springform pan.  Chill the crust in your refrigerator while you make the filling.

2.  CHEESECAKE:   Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and eggs for 10 minutes.  Pour filling over crust and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until it won’t stick to your finger.  Remove from oven and let cook completely on a wire rack.

3.  MIDDLE JELL-O LAYER:  While the cheesecake is cooling, stir one 3-ounce package of Jell-O mix, (I used berry blue), with 1-1/2 cups boiling water and dissolve.  Gently fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping until completely combined.  Pour over cheesecake and place in freezer for an hour.

4.  CREAMY LAYER: While your cheesecake is in the freezer, combine 1 cup of sour cream with 4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 4 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Pour it over the 1st Jell-O layer and place back in the freezer for 30 minutes.

5.  TOP JELL-O LAYER:  While the creamy layer is setting up, repeat step 3 exactly, using another flavor of Jell-O mix, (I used strawberry).  Pour it over the cheesecake and place back in the freezer for 1 more hour.  Remove from the freezer and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Before serving, carefully run a knife around the pan to separate the Jell-O layers from the side..  Unhinge the pan and gently lift it from the cheesecake.  Garnish with whipped cream and fresh fruit and a flag or two.

Thanks for stopping by and “Happy Birthday America!”  Please share how you’d like to make this cheesecake your own, flavors, and for what.

Here’s a pin for you!

 

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