adapted from I Am Baker
makes a 9" (diameter) x 3" cheesecake

For my best friend's birthday, I made her favorite--blueberry cheesecake! (Sorry for the poor picture quality! That does not look delicious at all.)

We've had to maintain our friendship cross-country for the past 2 & 1/2 years (thank God for synched google calendars and our psychic link!), and I've missed her last three birthdays, so it was a great blessing simply to celebrate her IN PERSON! ...and to extend the celebration over 2 months! (pahty don't stop.)

This girl never ceases to show me Christ, and I am humbled to have her as a friend. She knew me before and after becoming a Christian and we've grown together in faith since freshman year. We were blessed to grow as friends when we lived across the hall, but amazingly, I think our friendship grew even more when we lived across the country from each other. The past year that we've gotten to live in the same 'hood again has been a gift that I do NOT take for granted. She truly points me to Christ through all the struggles in each stage of life, and we remind each other that there are much more painful trials ahead. Each of our difficult, hours-long talks puts things into perspective and ends with "We are so foolish, but there's hope!"


Plain NY Style Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 15 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed
• 2 T butter, melted
• 4 (8 oz.) packs of cream cheese, @ room temp
• 1 1/2 c white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 c milk
• 4 eggs, @ room temp
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 T vanilla extract
• 1/4 c flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press into bottom of pan. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. Mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add milk, then eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and let cool in oven with the door closed for 5-6 hours. Chill in refrigerator overnight.