Taylor from Taylor Takes a Taste tweeted me yesterday with a very, very important message: Today is National Cheesecake Day! Well, okay, it’s actually National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day, but I’ve never made a white chocolate cheesecake, so just ignore that part. I’ll add it to my to-do list.
In order to celebrate, I thought I’d compile Willow Bird Baking’s many cheesecake recipes and issue a challenge for you!
My goal is to inspire kitchen confidence in home cooks by encouraging them to tackle fun, challenging new recipes. So I’m challenging you this month! Here’s what you do:
– Choose one of the cheesecake recipes below that feels like a challenge to you and make it for friends, family, or coworkers.
– Take a photo and email it to me at juruble ‘at’ gmail ‘dot’ com with a few comments about how it went and a link to your blog (if you have one — if you don’t, that’s okay too!).
– Do this before April 5, 2011. In exactly a month, I’ll post all of your cheesecake masterpieces here on Willow Bird Baking!
– You can also grab the badge at the bottom of this post if you’d like to let your readers know that you’re participating in the Cheesecake Challenge, but it’s optional.
If you’d like to participate, leave me a comment below and let me know! If you’ve already made one of the recipes below, that counts too! Just send me a photo!
Willow Bird Baking’s Cheesecake Recipes:
1. Coffee Cookie Dough Fudge Cheesecake
2. Red Velvet Cheesecake
3. Caramel Fudge Brownie Cheesecake
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Cheesecake
5. Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Cupcakes
6. Chocolate Cheesecake-Stuffed Cupcakes with Ganache
7. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Squares with Shortbread Crust
8. Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies
9. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread Pudding
And don’t forget to watch my (slightly embarrassing) cheesecake tutorial for great cheesecake pointers!
Finally, here’s the Cheesecake Challenge badge if you want to grab it:
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82 Comments on Celebrating Cheesecake — and a challenge for you!
6Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Celebrating Cheesecake — and a challenge for you!
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[…] Anyway, I suppose it’s just the nature of the cosmos that, on the day I get my too-big-for-my-liking butt back to the Washington Sports Club, I make the decision to participate in the Cheesecake Challenge. […]
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[…] Bird Baking Skip to content HomeAbout Willow Bird BakingRecipe Index ← Celebrating Cheesecake — and a challenge for you! March 8, 2011 · 3:52 pm ↓ Jump to […]
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[…] P.S. Don’t forget about the Cheesecake Challenge! Choose any one of 9 cheesecake recipes to prepare within the next month. Email a photo to me by 4/5/2011 to be featured on Willow Bird Baking! Get more details about the challenge here. […]
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[…] case you didn’t know, Julie at Willow Bird Baking is hosting a cheesecake challenge. This girl has made some unbelievable looking cheesecakes and has a hilarious video with some […]
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[…] P.S. Don’t forget about the Cheesecake Challenge! Choose any one of 9 cheesecake recipes to prepare within the next month. Email a photo to me by 4/5/2011 to be featured on Willow Bird Baking! Get more details about the challenge here. […]
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[…] made for my second post… but then I saw that one of my favourite baking blogs had issued this cheesecake challenge, and it was too tempting to pass […]
Joanne
March 6, 2011 at 8:46 pm (14 years ago)You are quite the temptress my dear. All of these look absolutely amazing. Now which one to choose…
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 8:50 pm (14 years ago)HA! I know my temptations, all right! I think my favorite right now is the Caramel Fudge Brownie Cheesecake, with the Coffee Cookie Dough a close second. The Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars are so good though — they feel kind of light and tangy. Perfect for welcoming spring! 🙂
Michelle
March 6, 2011 at 9:28 pm (14 years ago)I may have to take you up on that challenge… and find you on twitter. (I’m @naturalbaker)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:28 pm (14 years ago)I hope you will! I followed you on Twitter!
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
March 6, 2011 at 9:39 pm (14 years ago)Hmmm…. this may need to be on my list for the week 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:28 pm (14 years ago)Yesss! 🙂
Sue
March 6, 2011 at 10:10 pm (14 years ago)Now the real challenge is picking the one to make. They all look so yummy.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:28 pm (14 years ago)Thanks, Sue! 🙂
Becca
March 6, 2011 at 11:16 pm (14 years ago)Okay, don’t completely hold me to this, but I am seriously considering doing this – the Red Velvet one…seriously considering.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:31 pm (14 years ago)Dooooo it, Becca!!! It’s pretty easy but comes out lookin’ all fancy! And it’s a chance to eat 2 cakes at once 🙂
maybelles mom
March 6, 2011 at 11:16 pm (14 years ago)I kind of hoped the challenge would be to eat as much cheesecake as you can in a month! sounds like a good idea.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm (14 years ago)HA you can do that too!! Maybe we’ll have a parallel contest . . . I’ll have to join in that one!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
March 6, 2011 at 11:24 pm (14 years ago)Oh my…these all look so good it’ll be hard to choose. (The caramel fudge brownie one though is calling my name. How did you get it to do that?)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 6, 2011 at 11:34 pm (14 years ago)That one is my favorite, Betty! The flavors are so yummy!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
March 6, 2011 at 11:45 pm (14 years ago)Man those are some fantastic cheesecakes! Cheesecake is my favorite but I don’t make it often because I don’t share it, I eat it all!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 7:58 pm (14 years ago)Oh, I definitely know what you mean!
muppy
March 7, 2011 at 12:11 am (14 years ago)I love an excuse to bake so I’m in! I really can’t decide which one to choose, think I’ll consult my husband as he will have to eat more so I eat less 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 12:18 am (14 years ago)Hurray! I love your decision making method — makes perfect sense 🙂
Penny
March 7, 2011 at 12:42 am (14 years ago)I can’t wait to try the two cupcake recipes. I have 4 grandchildren who love cupcakes, so they’ll be my judges.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 12:48 am (14 years ago)That sounds great, Penny! I hope they love them!
Virginia
March 7, 2011 at 10:01 am (14 years ago)For some reason, I don’t think making (and obviously) eating a cheesecake is going to help my fitness regime…
Oh well! Extra Pilates for me! I’m thinking the Coffee Cookie Dough Fudge one sounds like a plan. 🙂 (Also, note to self, follow you on Twitter!)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 10:04 am (14 years ago)I LOVE that one, Virginia! Yay for cheesecake (and, okay, extra pilates :))
Jenna
March 7, 2011 at 10:41 am (14 years ago)OMG! I am totally going to do this! I will most likey do one of the cupcake ones so I can blog about it on my cupcake blog. 🙂 But boyyyy do I love cheesecake! <3
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 10:46 am (14 years ago)So glad to have you on board, Jenna! 🙂
Sonia
March 7, 2011 at 10:51 am (14 years ago)Amazing…
I was just talking with a friend about your Chocolate Cheesecake-Stuffed Cupcakes with Ganache… and then I saw your post… I’m soooo gonna do them… I’ll blog about it later :o)
And also I’ve done a red velvet cheesecake that is quite different from yours for mother’s day last year… I’ll email you the pictures (taken with my cell phone, sorry) and recipe later.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 11:09 am (14 years ago)Ooh, I can’t wait to see! I’m glad you’re on board! I love those chocolate cheesecake-stuffed cupcakes!
Sonia
April 4, 2011 at 6:39 am (14 years ago)Unfortunatly, I’m not going to be able to bake those amazing cupcakes before the deadline…. buuuuuut I’m gonna make them for sure… maybe this week or the next one… so expect an email by then.
btw, love your blog
dee
March 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm (14 years ago)Hi Julie – what a lovely idea! All the recipes sound delish but I think I’ll go with red velvet this time. I just can’t wait to share photos and capture the heartmelting look on my friends’ and colleagues’ faces when they try it!! Do you mind if I share the photos on my cheesecake facebook fan page – dee’s delite? Thanks again & smiles..
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 2:49 pm (14 years ago)Hurray, Glad you’re on board, Dee! Please feel free to share your photos anywhere — I’ll just post them on the blog in addition, if that’s all right 🙂
Mollie
March 7, 2011 at 5:05 pm (14 years ago)Genius. I LOVE cheesecake and will definitely participate!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 5:07 pm (14 years ago)So glad you’re joining in the fun, Mollie!!
The Culinary Enthusiast
March 7, 2011 at 7:04 pm (14 years ago)I would love to participate!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 7:07 pm (14 years ago)Glad to have you!!
Maranda
March 7, 2011 at 7:37 pm (14 years ago)I didn’t even know you had all these! I made the coffee cookie dough fudge cheesecake this weekend but think I might do more! That pumpkin cheesecake bread pudding sounds delicious!! You KNOW I’m in!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 7:39 pm (14 years ago)Hurray!! Your CCDF Cheesecake totally counts, too! I love that pumpkin cheesecake bread pudding — it’s more like a custard, but they named it after cheesecake and WHO am I to argue?! 😉
Maranda
March 8, 2011 at 1:08 pm (14 years ago)I’m also going to make the peanut butter bliss one in October for my sister’s birthday because that’s her favorite flavor combo. The caramel fudge looks amazing! And the lemon blueberry on shortbread squares??? Yes please!! Maybe it should be a “how many of WBB’s cheesecakes can I make in a month” contest. 😉
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 8, 2011 at 2:33 pm (14 years ago)LOL I love that idea!! YESSS!! 🙂
The Poet Herself
March 7, 2011 at 7:54 pm (14 years ago)Definitely going to do this! I really like the sound of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss, so put me down for that. Now to find some people to eat it… 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 9:13 pm (14 years ago)It’s definitely a good one! 😀 I’m glad you’re in the game! Oh, and if you make it, they will come . . .
KeishaShippy
March 7, 2011 at 8:26 pm (14 years ago)Oh goodness….after baking for several baby showers in the last few weeks I swore I wasn’t going to bake again for a while! But I’ve never made cheesecake before, and Coffee Cookie Dough one sounds amazing. I’m sure my family and friend’s won’t mind just one more sweet treat…
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 8:30 pm (14 years ago)Yay, do it, dooo itttt!! Especially having never made one before, I bet you’ll love the process! There are several steps and it takes some time, but it’s really pretty easy and for such a fancy product 🙂
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
March 7, 2011 at 9:49 pm (14 years ago)This is so fun! I am going to make your Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Squares with Shortbread Crust! You just made my husband very happy:-)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 7, 2011 at 9:52 pm (14 years ago)Yay, Lauren, I’m so glad you’re going to do it! Those cheesecake squares are one of my FAVORITES. They taste light and tangy and springy, and the buttery crust is kind of insane. I hope you and hubby love them!
Anita Menon
March 8, 2011 at 2:20 am (14 years ago)Hi Julie,
Those look amazing!! I would like to try the marbled cheese cake brownies.
I have tried the no-bake variety of cheese cake before, so am excited to try the baked ones.
Thanks!!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 8, 2011 at 2:33 pm (14 years ago)Yay, Anita!! Thanks for joining in the fun!! I can’t wait to see them.
Jenny
March 8, 2011 at 3:58 pm (14 years ago)This is a great idea! Thanks for allowing for so much time! I hate the time crunchers:) I’m going to try and give it a shot!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 8, 2011 at 3:59 pm (14 years ago)I know what you mean, Jenny — I’m always so busy, and I know other people must be trying to pack everything in, too! Thanks for joining in! I can’t wait to see your finished product 🙂
Michelle
March 9, 2011 at 12:21 pm (14 years ago)I’m In! I found your site a few weeks ago and I have been thinking about your cheesecakes ever since. Now you’ve given me a reason to tackle one of them, Coffee Cookie Dough Fudge Cheesecake is the one for me:) I do have one question. Do you use a deeper than usual springform pan? The one I own is 3″ deep, yours seem to come out taller than that.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 9, 2011 at 1:23 pm (14 years ago)Yay! Thanks for jumping in, Michelle!
No, my cheesecakes are in a 3″ deep springform pan as well — I squish the crumbs as far up the sides as I can, though. Photos also make things look bigger, I’ve noticed, so they might look deeper than they really are 🙂
Ella
March 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm (14 years ago)So just how true to the recipe do we have to actually get?
Because I am going to do potentially illegal things with that lemon blueberry recipe.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 9, 2011 at 1:52 pm (14 years ago)LOL! Okay, small adaptations are okay — but no, um, murder or larceny or anything. haha.
Ella
March 9, 2011 at 2:04 pm (14 years ago)I totally freaked out for a minute thinking I was a year late joining the challenge. I think the more likely crimes will be grand theft lemon and malicious assult with lemon curd.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 9, 2011 at 2:06 pm (14 years ago)Ha, no, my brain is just a year late. Fixed it!
I kind of want to be your accomplice! 😀
Ella
March 9, 2011 at 2:33 pm (14 years ago)Its pandering to the crowd, often when I bake something rich and chocolatey, the response is that it is missing something. I guess I have a family that just loves tartness in a dessert. I’m already fantasising about just how good this will taste.
I’m the opposite of a planner, so perhaps this is the recipe for me to almost follow.
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 9, 2011 at 3:17 pm (14 years ago)It’s a great one to choose! I understand the love of tartness — I’m the same way. Well, but I love chocolate too. I’m, um, unbiased 😀
Amy
March 9, 2011 at 4:01 pm (14 years ago)Ive never made cheesecake before, and have been slowly working towards “kitchen confidence” I’m definitely going to give this a try!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 9, 2011 at 4:26 pm (14 years ago)YESS!! GO AMY! Let me know if you have ANY questions during the process. It takes a little while, but each step is pretty easy! The hardest part, honestly, is packing the crumbs up the side of the pan, and that just takes the patience to stand there until they stay where they’re told 😉 Can’t WAIT to see your final product!
Natalie
March 9, 2011 at 11:43 pm (14 years ago)I just made my first successful cheesecake last month, and my second (a repeat of the same recipe) this weekend. As a result, I’m now on a bit of a cheesecake high, so I can’t wait to try this challenge! I’ve been lusting after that peanut butter cheesecake for, well, ever but have been avoiding making it for the sake of my waistline. The challenge is just the excuse I was looking for!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 10, 2011 at 12:05 am (14 years ago)Yay, Natalie! Welcome to the Challenge!!
Natalie
March 28, 2011 at 6:41 pm (14 years ago)This month has gotten completely out of control, so my cheesecake will not be done in time to be submitted for your challenge (sigh). However, I am still dying to make it and shall do so later next month. I’ll let you know how it turns out! 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 29, 2011 at 9:05 am (14 years ago)That’s okay, Natalie! I can’t wait to see it whenever you can get to it. Hope things settle a little! 🙂
Ja
March 9, 2011 at 11:47 pm (14 years ago)Those cheesecake look awesome, Julie ! I am having a hard time choosing which one I should make. I am in 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 10, 2011 at 12:08 am (14 years ago)Hurrah! Welcome to the Challenge!! 😀
hungryami
March 17, 2011 at 7:36 am (14 years ago)Hi, I’ve been lurking for awhile and figured this would be a great time to finally comment 🙂 I made your chocolate cheesecake filled cupcakes last night and will be sending you the pics soon- they are delicious!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 17, 2011 at 8:25 am (14 years ago)Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!! I can’t wait to see the photos!
Cassie (The Family Jewels)
March 21, 2011 at 11:41 am (14 years ago)Okay…So you had me at Cheesecake. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site. I’m a cheesecake FREAK! I experimented with my own pumpkin caramel cheesecake this past Thanksgiving. Besides my springform pan busting, it came out beautifully.
Although I’m super crunched for time these days, I’m seriously thinking about whipping up your peanut butter chocolate cheesecake…and by seriously, I mean I will be 🙂
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 21, 2011 at 12:04 pm (14 years ago)Hurray! Thanks for taking the time in your busy schedule, Cassie! So glad to have you on board 🙂
Taylor
March 21, 2011 at 10:06 pm (14 years ago)Not sure yet which one I am going to do. So many awesome choices!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 21, 2011 at 10:09 pm (14 years ago)I’m glad you’re going to jump in, Taylor!! I can’t wait to see what you decide!
Meghna
March 25, 2011 at 5:11 am (14 years ago)Hey,
Am planning to bake the lemon blueberry cheesecake… I just hope that I find the blueberries here in India…this challenge is damn interesting and I might just improve upon my baking skills….
Thanks
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 25, 2011 at 6:53 am (14 years ago)So glad you’re going to jump in, Meghna! I hope finding blueberries goes okay — feel free to substitute other berries if they’re easier to find.
The Chocolate Bottle
March 28, 2011 at 12:08 pm (14 years ago)WOW, I am going to have to try the Coffee Cookie Dough Fudge recipe. But I can’t possibly eat all of it, so I may have to have a cheesecake party for this one. Looks like an incredible dessert!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 28, 2011 at 12:09 pm (14 years ago)It’s one of my faves!! A cheesecake party sounds like a BALL — one other participant did that as well! I think it’s a great idea! I hope you and your guests love it! I can’t wait to see photos.
toddlerbaking
March 31, 2011 at 6:16 am (14 years ago)I have just started my own baking blog and was going to do something savory for my second post… but now I think it’s going to be Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Cheesecake. My daughter is peanut butter’s biggest fan!
I will have to make a couple of changes though as some of the ingredients aren’t available here — and I can’t do the gelatine because of being vegetarian 😀
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
March 31, 2011 at 11:49 am (14 years ago)Hurray! I hope your daughter loves it!
I wonder if, for the mousse, you can sweeten and whip cream to stiff peaks and fold a bit of melted, cooled peanut butter mixture into the cream to make a “mousse”? Let me know what you decide!
Pam
April 4, 2011 at 1:02 am (14 years ago)Finished my cake about a week ago (I’m the Pam Gabriel who left a comment on your FB page :P) and I’m about to send you some pictures and the story behind it!