Fresh Lemon Cheesecake

It's now officially summer as of Friday. How'd that happen? My blog is stuck in winter still!

So, whatcha think? Fresh lemon cheesecake sound good?

One of my sisters has been asking for some kind of lime pie or cheesecake. We were out of limes, but she said lemon would do ;). With lemons on the counter and homemade goat cream cheese in the fridge, I was set to get creating!

Normally when I make cheesecake I don't really follow the rules - in other words, basically just throw everything together and bake it. It turns out good that way, but it's way better if you take a some extra steps.

1. Bring your ingredients to room temperature.
2. Beat very well (I used an electric mixture) so that it's nice smooth. I beat the cream cheese first, then add the other ingredients and beat more.
3. Bake it in a water bath. This ensures slow, even cooking.
4. Do not over-bake. When it is mostly set but still jiggly in the middle, it is done.
5. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour after it is done baking. I was unable to do this this time because there were other things in the oven, but I did leave it in the water bath so that it cooled slower.
6. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to prevent cracking.
7. Chill WELL before serving, overnight is recommended.
8. To slice, dip your knife in warm water and wipe dry before cutting each slice.

I was told by my friends and family that this was the best cheesecake I've ever made. So ya, it was a hit :).

Fresh Lemon Cheesecake
Recipe created by Hanunyah Fish
gluten-free, cow dairy-free, corn-free

3 cups (24 oz) homemade goat cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
3 tablespoons GF flour (I used rice)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
rind of 2 lemons, grated
your favorite pie crust, baked

Beat the cream cheese. Add the remaining ingredients and beat well. Pour into prepared pie crust and bake for 20-30 minutes, until mostly set but jiggly in the middle. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to prevent cracking. Turn off the oven and leave to cool for 1 hour. Remove from oven to refrigerator to cool completely. Dip a knife in warm water and wipe dry before slicing.

~ Hanunyah

Linked to Gluten-Free Wednesdays by The Gluten-Free Homemaker

Impossible Pumpkin Pie (Crustless)

Still warm from the oven, I ran outside with the pie and a cute turkey pot-holder to take a picture.

Pumpkin pie - without the crust is called an "Impossible Pie". Though a nice crust is great, it is much easier to add a simple 1/2 cup of oat flour (or other gluten-free flour) to the pie "batter" - and it turns out awesome! Now you have a creamy pumpkin pie in a easy-as-cake type of deal! And add some crunch with nuts . . . but that's optional.


Impossible Pumpkin Pie (Gluten, Cow Dairy, Corn-free, GAPS adaptable*)
Adapted from Ginger Lemon Girl


3/4 cup sugar -or- 1/2 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup gluten-free flour -or- 3 tablespoons almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs
1 cup goat milk -or- plain, homemade yoghurt
1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree**
2 tablespoons vegetable oil -or- cold-pressed olive oil
nuts, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 


2. In a large bowl whisk together all ingredients thoroughly into a smooth batter. Pour into a large, greased 9" pie plate. If desired, top with nuts such as pecan or walnut halves (we used raw peanuts for the GAPS ones). 


3. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until set in the middle. The pie will only jiggle slightly in the middle when done and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean. Allow pie to cool for about an hour, then slice and serve.


Notes:
*To make this GAPS legal, use all of the substitutions indicated in the recipe as "-or-". Also be sure that all of the spices and baking soda have no additives, and that the eggs are GAPS-approved.
**1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree is the same as one 15 ounce can.




~ Hanunyah

Cinnamon Custard

I snuck outside before it was devoured . . . 

Last month was busy, both on the blog and ranch, but here is November. Welcome this new month with a sweet, rich custard. Warm cinnamon and the sweetness of vanilla travels throughout this easy custard with a interesting, chewy "crust". The sugar caramelizes, so be sure to soak the pan before washing.

This was a hit here (especially with my brother who probably would have eaten the whole thing).

Cinnamon Custard (Gluten, Dairy and Corn-free)
Adapted from AllRecipes.com

Crust (optional):
3 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons oat or other gluten-free flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons oil

Custard:
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons oat or other gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups milk

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). In a 8 inch baking dish combine all of the crust ingredients. Press down into the pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add the beaten egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix well and add the milk. Pour over the crust mixture.

3. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake for about 25 minutes more.

Fall lamb

and don't forget the kids ;).

~ Hanunyah