Living Outside the Lines: For the Love of Cheesecake

By, Becky J Miller

We Southerners tend to gravitate towards anything sweet; sweet tea, plump cheeked babies, “Aww, ain’t she sweet!” and calorie laden desserts.  No proper Southern gathering would be complete without tables full of luscious desserts such as apple pie, pecan (pronounced pee-can) pie, banana pudding, Jell-O poke cake, chocolate cake, key lime pie, and ANY kind of cobbler. 

During my childhood, I honestly cannot recall anyone besides my mama fixing cheesecake. Perhaps the dish was a, “daddy likes it” kind of thing versus a true Southern delicacy.  It stands to reason that since some types of cheesecake are called, “New York Style Cheesecake,” the origins are not Southern.  Shameful, I tell ya.   Now, I don’t fault my mama for this, but her cheesecakes were actually imposters, Jell-O No Bake, straight outta the box, no baking required!!!!  I hope she’ll forgive me for calling out her dessert.  You think? Maybe? I hope.

Now, to my naïve pallet, those cheesecakes were not only the one true cheesecake, but they tasted absolutely fabulous.  Then I met my husband.  One evening while dining at his parents’ home, I witnessed his sister act in a most unusual fashion, she pulled a cheesecake out of the hot oven??  Huh?  That’s not how my mama does it!  Cheesecake doesn’t go in the oven, what’s wrong with you people?

Initially I was extremely reluctant to sample this poser cheesecake.  It took some fancy talk and cajoling on the part of my husband’s entire family to finally convince me this was the real thing, made from scratch, and if I’d just sample it, I would fall in love.  Until that moment, I had no idea that “homemade” desserts could come from somewhere other than a box or mix?? 

It took some time and quite a few more cheesecakes for me to finally admit I truly did prefer made from scratch, versus the Jell-O No Bake from a box.  Fast forward many more years to the time I was introduced to other types of cheesecake, not just plain with cherries.  Chocolate cheesecake with chocolate ganache layered on top??  Are you kidding me?  Is this for real??  Where had it been my entire life?  It was like seeing the sunshine for the very first time.  Surreal.

Olive Garden’s version of the chocolate ganache would be a favorite of mine for many years.  The hospital where our youngest son was born sat directly across the street from one.  Can you guess whose mama made sure her first born and favorite (ha!) daughter had a slice? Yep. Mine.  Sadly, I don’t believe that particular flavor is still available at Olive Garden. Not to worry though because there’s a new sheriff in town now, Cheesecake Factory!!!

Forget the real food, we rarely dine at Cheesecake Factory.   However, their proximity to shopping malls, makes walking in and ordering a slice of “cheesecake to go” quite easy!  Unless I plan ahead though, ordering can be an excruciating task in, “which flavor do I want today??”  My sister and I always order the Thirtieth Anniversary edition, complete with layers of original cheesecake, fudge cake and chocolate truffle cream, when we go together.  Sam’s carried that flavor one year, the whole pie, and of course I bought one for each of us! 

Some of my other favorite flavors are the Peppermint Bark, only available during the holidays, Salted Caramel, Mango Key Lime, Lemon Meringue, and Lemon Raspberry Cream.  I’ve yet to meet a flavor I didn’t love!!!  So, is your mouthwatering yet???  Well, if it is I have fabulous news!  While it’s true, there is no Cheesecake Factory located in San Marcos, I happen to have first hand knowledge of a little know fact, Mamacita’s carries a limited selection of Cheesecake Factory flavors. 

What are you waiting for???  Hurry, or there won’t be any left!!  Happy Indulging!!!

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”