Remember high school? I totally do! I played volleyball. I was an editor in journalism class. I took all the AP classes. I stressed out over Algebra… and my hair was cut awkwardly short. Like… really bad. I also didn’t have a boyfriend. I didn’t even have the prospect of a boyfriend. I had to ask out my dude prom date. I dunno. I had some of the best friends ever… I wasn’t really worried about too many things.
I feel like a good amount of high school girls read my blog. I know this because most of them write me emails asking how to get through high school. Usually the only answers I have for them include trying out for volleyball and journalism, and cutting their hair awkwardly short. That’s really the only experience I have, and I really shouldn’t push that on strangers. It’s rude and damaging.
I recently received a question from a dear and darling high school senior in Chicago. She called into the Homefries voicemail to ask us a question. She didn’t have a Chicago accent… I was listening.
The questions boils down to this:
I’m in high school. I’m a senior. I’ve liked this dude since my freshman year. We’ve texted a few times. I think he likes me. I just don’t know if I should keep pursuing this guy because we’re never going to see each other again once I go to college.
My answer is this:
You’ve liked the same dude since freshman year? Dang. It’s too bad dudes in high school don’t know how to act. I’m 30 and most dudes my age don’t know how to act. Here’s the deal. You can sneak this dude behind the bungalows to make-out with him… that’s it. Simple. (Mom… I didn’t do any of this. Seriously. That’s not even a lie to spare your feelings). Mostly you just have to wait for this dude to grow up. That will probably take a while. Sorry high school is so awkward and confusing. We’ve all been there…. except without the text messaging confusion. Make-out or don’t… but don’t make it too complicated. In short: go to college and learn how to be an awesome and independent woman. No biggie.
Oh! Also… learn how to make an awesome cheesecake and feel good about your life.
Cheesecake is LONG overdue on this blog. It’s because I’m not a huge fan of cheesecake. I’m not a huge fan of cheesecake because I don’t own a spring form pan. Cheesecakes always felt out of reach because of equipment alone.
Let’s start this cheesecake with gingersnap crust. Butter. Sugar. A pinch of salt and fluff. Crispy (store-bought) Gingersnap Cookies. I love this crust because it so simply pressed into the pie plate and baked until golden.
Cheesecake filling is an incredible mixture of cream cheese, eggs and sugar. Cream too! Adding a touch of lemon zest is dreamy also.
I want to swim in here. I really really do.
You’ll lick the beaters. I did. Lay off.
We’ll top the creamy cheesecake with an almost bitter salted caramel. It’s sweet and full of depth… and it all starts with butter and sugar.
Caramel is so easy to make. There’s no need for a candy thermometer. All you need is the courage enough to boil sugar and water until it browns. If you have the balls to do that… you’re on the sweet sweet road to caramel.
Here’s the trick with caramel. Remove the pan from heat just as it starts to brown. The bottom of the pan will retain heat and continue to cook the caramel. If you need it slightly more brown, you can always return it to the heat. You’ve got the control. Take it totally easy.
Once cooked and cooled, pour caramel over cooled cheesecake. Cool the topped cheesecake with cool caramel. Do you see what’s happening here? Are you freaking out? I am. No bigs.
Cat wants too.
ps. As soon as I have a kid I’ll stop posting annoying cat pictures. Promise. (but my fingers are crossed behind my back).
Salted Caramel Cheesecake Pie
makes one 9-inch pie
adapted from Dorie Greenspan and Zoe Nathan
For the Crust:
2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake:
1 pound (2 blocks) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For the Caramel:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Place two rack in the upper and bottom third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. You’ll need a 9-inch pie plate and a 9×13-inch pan for boiling water.
To make the crust, place cookies in the bowl of a food processor and grind to a fine crumb. If you don’t have a food processor you can crumble cookies in a zip lock bag with a rolling pin. Once you’ve created a fine crumb, add brown sugar, salt, and butter. Toss together, moistening all of the ginger snap crumbs. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and press with fingers until sides and bottom are evenly coated with crust.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you make the cheesecake filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Place a tea kettle of water on the stove top to boil. We’re going to add hot water to the 9×13-inch pan to place under the baking cheesecake.
To make the cheesecake filling: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in salt and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Add eggs, beating one at a time between each addition. Once creamy and smooth, slowly beat in the cream, beating on medium high until creamy and luscious. Add lemon zest if using.
Pour cheesecake mixture into the prepared cheesecake crust.
Place 9×13-inch pan in the bottom shelf of the hot oven. Carefully pout in hot water, and fill to 1/2 full. Push into oven.
Place cheesecake on the upper oven shelf. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until cheesecake is browned and puffed. When cheesecake is puffed and doesn’t have loose giggle in the center, turn oven off and use a towel to prop the oven open slightly. Let cheesecake rest for another 45 minutes in the cooling oven. Remove from the oven and cool completely, for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
While the cheesecake cools, make the caramel so it can cool as well.
To make the caramel, add sugar, water, and corn syrup to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring once or twice. Bring to a boil and allow to brown. Once sugar has browned to a medium amber color, remove from heat and immediately add heavy cream and butter. Mixture will boil and foam. Stir well. Add salt and stir well to incorporate. Caramel may seem thin… that’s ok. Place in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and cool in the fridge for at least 4 hours, overnight is best.
Pour the cooled caramel over the cooled cheesecake, return to the refrigerator until ready to serve. Sprinkle with a dash of sea salt then slice and serve.
Cheese will last for up to 4 days, well wrapped in the refrigerator.
Ashley Collins
This is yummy, I wanted to remake it but do mini cheesecakes is there anything I should do different?
joythebaker
Use the smaller pans you like and adjust the baking time to be significantly less. Happy Baking!
Alex
The sugar looks a lot like cream
Marie
One of the best cheese cakes I’ve seen on the internet. It is a simple and very good recipe. I will do this weekend for the whole family.
Thank you
Kayla Urquidi
I was so focused on the cheesecake that I didn’t even see Tron.
Jeanie Phillips
So my 16 year old son made this tonight and dear me, it is the most delicious dessert ever! Will be appearing again at Thanksgiving, if not before. Thanks for a great recipe!
Angela
Hi, does the caramel topping remain “runny”, or does it solidify after a while? I want to bring the cheesecake to a friend’s house and if the topping is runny I’m afraid it might drip over the edge.
Thanks for the recipe!
joythebaker
It solidifies after some resting time, especially in the refrigerator.
Yaaraber
I tried to make this and it’s fantastic (!!!), but, the crust on the cheese broke while it was in the oven… Any idea why and how to fix this?
Thank you for the great recipe any way :)
Talia
I have a leftover pie crust… how weird would it be to use it for this?
joythebaker
Go on and get it Talia!
Farah.F
great i love the idea of ‘not-soggy’ cheesecake crust. So you’re not actually putting the pie plate in a waterbath right? just curious how does this method help in baking the cheesecake besides giving us the dry perfect crust? :)
Thanks.
Catherine
I made this cheesecake yesterday and I’m counting down the hours until my boyfriend gets home from work so we can dig in…. I live in Istanbul and im curious to see how the Turkish cream cheese does in this recipe! The only thing im worried about is the caramel… I used Turkish “kreme” which is the usual substitute for heavy cream but my caramel isn’t thin at all. Might have to warm it up a bit before topping the cake :)
laura
I just made this recipe for a Chrismas dinner and it was completely devoured. It was amazingly delicious! Highly recommend making this!
Aliya
Is there any substitute for the ginger cookies? :/
joythebaker
graham crackers
Elizabeth
Just made this yesterday. Lovely outcome (pleased I used the lemon zest) but I think the baking time is way off. Mine was quite raw at 60 minutes. I had to go a full 80 in my good, new oven. It also cracked deeply before it even slightly bronzed. Besides bake time, followed directions to a T.
Regan McNeil
Hey Joy!
Never made caramel, this recipe looks awesome, I’ll try. Question: Can I use another liquid sweetener? Maple Syrup, Agave Nectar? Keep up the good work. I made the skillet cookie cake from your latest book this week. Hell Yeah, best thing ever.
Thanks xx
Erma
I’m honestly not a confirmed cheesecake maker, I’ll eat it anytime anywhere, but it seems to have been my go-to holiday dessert for the few years just because I successfully made a two-layer pumpkin cheesecake once. Maybe I should branch out soon. I think I could make this one.
Thao
I made this for my friend’s birthday and boom it was such a hit! Thank you very much for sharing this recipe – I normally would just silently follow the recipes online, yet this one is too good to not express my gratitude :)
Lindsay
Hey Joy, quick question. I made this cheesecake over Christmas (BIG hit!) but the caramel was a little hard to cut through, so it was more of cheesecake mush instead of a cheesecake pie. I would like to make it again for a party, but any idea of how I could improve the consistency this time?
joythebaker
Hello Lindsay, perhaps try cooking the caramel a little less. I know that caramel is really tricky to get right (believe me, I know) and sometimes I find that when I cook it too much it becomes really hard when it cools!
Lizzy Harnett
how come you place the water bath underneath as opposed to in it?
joythebaker
Thanks for the question Lizzy! I sometimes feel like even if I cover the cheesecake pan in foil, water still finds its way into my cheesecake (the nerve!) so I like placing the pan underneath instead. It’ll still create that steam we’re looking for!
Melissa
You had me until corn syrup….I try to avoid any and all….substitute please? Or leave out entirely? Thanks!
Nour Domloje
if you haven’t tried this recipe yet, YOU SHOULD! heavenly!!
Susana - dulcespostres
A cheesecake spectacular. I really like this type of cakes, what I cook in with raspberry jam.
thanks
Erin S.
First of all, I’ve made this cheesecake recipe twice now – and there is a good possibility that it is the only reason my boyfriend’s family likes me as much as they do. So, thank you, it really is great.
Secondly, I turned them into cookie bars for my work cookie swap. I’ve never seen so many people’s jaws drop or use the word “crack” so many times. They were loved very much & I couldnt have done it without your recipe!!!
Thanks!
Shelly
Hi Joy,
I’ve just come upon your recipe today and I am going to try it for Christmas! I’m not an experienced baker, so I wonder that if I use a store bought caramel ice cream topping, would it suffice instead of the homemade caramel? To say the least, I’m very intimidated by the process of making caramel. (And, our guests are my new in-laws, so I don’t want to screw up the end product…) Thanks for the blog, love it!
India
Joy — I did this and oh boy was it a process! I thought it’d be similar to the no-bake pumpkin one, but nope. Even though I was stressin’ as I made it, I felt like I had you saying “You can do it!” I baked it 10 extra minutes because it was a bit “giggly” but now I fear I’ve burned it. The carmel took two tries, but I think that worked out. All that to say, I give YOU mad props! You’re amazing to do this and all the other baked goods you do. Thanks for being an inspiration!
David
I made this for Thanksgiving using a traditional spring-form pan. OMG! It was the hit of the day and I’ve already been asked to redo for Christmas! What a great recipe and I must thank you for your detailed directions and encouragement with the caramel. I’ve attempted before and got “ok” results, but this went as smooth as could be and was completely delicious!!!
Thanks SO much, I love this blog!
Chelsea
I have leftover pie crusts from thanksgiving.. Could I use those instead of the pie crust you have and get the same result?
joythebaker
Well, I can’t say that it’ll be the same result, but you may find a similar result? I dunno, just give it a shot! Let me know how it goes.
Stephanie
So, I completely recognize it is the day before Thanksgiving. I do. But if anyone has any thoughts, please help! I want make this cheesecake with a Biscoff crust. Being diabetic, I have never has Biscoff cookies to know what the correct amount of sugar I should add (if need be.) Googling Biscoff crusts proves that everyone varies, yet I CANNOT TASTE TEST! I can hear all of your sympathies from here and thank you. So, in conclusion (sorry) Biscoff cookies. Crust. A good recipe? Thanks in advance.
Rebecca
I want to make 2 for a dinner we are going to. Would you recommend baking one at a time or could I double and bake together? I love your blog!!!
Tereza
Joy ! I made the cheesecake yesterday, it tastes heavenly but the caramel is making my life a little hard))) For some reason it’s still too liquidy, making it very hard to cut out a piece of the cake as it stretches like chewing gum. When I finally did manage to cut out a piece, a lot(!) of the caramel from the rest of the cake went down to fill the hole after the cut-out piece. I’m not sure why it doesn’ t thicken more and stay where it should)))
Thank you!
Tereza
Eleni
Oh my goodness. This is one of the best things to have ever come out of my oven. I used Speculoos cookies for the base and they worked really (really) well. I will be making this at any given opportunity! Thank you
Bos
Hi, I made your cheesecake tonight. It didn’t all fit into my 9-inch glass pie plate, wondering if there is a difference in plate depths or something? There was at least a cup and a half or so of cheesecake batter left over, and that’s after I overfilled the crust slightly- which puffed up to over a half inch over the top of the plate/crust, but didn’t run over. Either that or I over-mixed it. My spouse didn’t like the lemon zest. I used the teaspoon and it was too bright, so maybe a 1/2 teaspoon next time? I think I would also try graham cracker crust next time, or graham crackers plus some ginger powder to cut down the sweetness. Erica: to slice it nicely, use a wet knife and wipe it clean and rewret with every cut. I left the caramel off and drizzled it over the cut slices because I figure the poured/set caramel top would make it even harder to get clean cuts.
Elena
I love your cat! And cake is also great!
Akta
Hiya,
Just saw your recipe hope you don’t mind I linked you in my blog entry:
jarofwonders.com
Thanks!
Emily
question, when you say to cool the caramel, do we have to reheat the solidified caramel in order to spread over the cheesecake? thank you for a great recipe!
Candice
I have this same question!!
Sam
Made this for a dinner party we had last night – a big hit! All so easy and made the day before to keep it stress free. Thanks Joy!
Erica
Love, love, love this recipe! First made it for fun, then Thanksgiving, and have now had it requested for two birthdays. Tried it with the lemon zest and I think it’s better plain. So I have two questions: is there supposed to be extra filling? And how on earth did you slice it so prettily? I am thinking of freezing it for 10 minutes before serving, hopefully that will help. Pretty sure I know what to do with the extra filling :)
Wren
Joy… I’m making this for the second time. My boyfriend said to me the other day, “Joy the Baker has got to stop being so good at what she does.” Meaning, we love you and your food and your witticisms.
Wren
Erin
I made this cheesecake this past weekend for friends that were coming over for a barbecue. It was so delicious, easily one of the best desserts I have made. And it was the first recipe that I’ve tried from your site! You’ve got a new fan!
Nola
Holy crud….I love you. I just told my boyfriend I’m in love with a girl named Joy.
Angel
My cheesecake is in the oven right now — SO excited to see how it turns out.
I laughed at the comment you made about your name Joy. Still to this day, I hear the worst jokes involving my name, Angel. Where are your wings today? I bet you’re really a devil. Get’s old REAL quick.
Only problem I’m noticing is my cheesecake puffed about an inch over the pie plate and there is a large crack on the side of the top. Hope that isn’t a problem when pouring caramel over.
Thanks for the recipe – I love your site!
emily
Making this! Can I sub half and half? Is there anything I can add to thicken it? It’s all i’ve got!
heather
going to try this for a local pie contest. i’ve been wanting to make this since i the first time i looked at your website in november. love the kitty pics too.
Amanda S.
I love this recipe! My company has been involved in a “bake off” over the past several months, quite serious actually with several rounds, secret ballots etc. Needless to say the competition was quite fierce going into yesterday’s final round so I knew I needed to bust out the big guns if I wanted a shot at the title.
I am a fan of the basics, I am also a fan of salted caramel, so I chose to make this recipe. It was a TOTAL HIT even beating out the triple layer chocolate spice cake. I now have people requesting I make this cheesecake for upcoming parties and birthdays.
Thanks so much!
Johanna
We made this the other day and it was definitely the best baked cheesecake I have ever tasted :)
Caitlin
This pie was the radness. I made it for my special manfriend’s birthday last night and we were both and the first bite prompted dual “mmms” of delight. My pie was nowhere as pretty as yours–in fact, it looked much like the cross section of a well-sapped tree–but it tasted like indulgence oughta.
Also, I made a few tweaks: I live in Germany and didn’t know where to cop corn syrup for the caramel, so I used maple syrup instead. Then there’s the tiny problem of my boyfriend being “not so into” gingersnaps (what kind of German is “not so into” spice cookies!?), so I made it with a crushed pretzel crust. While not gingery or snappity, it was pretty baller and I think the pretzels held up their end of the deal like a good snack food should.
Thanks for this awesome recipe, Joy.
Julia
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit. People who don’t even like cheesecake fell in love with it. Oh, I also added bourbon to the filling. Yes, I did. Thanks Joy!
Denise Pinelli
Steph, that was the BEST cheesecake ever ! Mr. P and I sat there with a spoon eating it out of the dish, its to die for. Great job keep up the good work.
M
I made this as a birthday cake for my man. We both loved it, except I experienced difficulty cutting out a pretty slice. I couldn’t get any clean cut slice like yours, and I’m wondering why. Hope you can help! Otherwise, this is such a rich, decadent cheesecake.
Thanks !
Gemma
Love. Love. LOVE this recipe … and your sweet advice, too! It would be nice to be younger with the same experience I enjoy today…but it is such a strange and funny time … glad it’s over!
Alexis
Hi Joy –
This recipe looks amazing (and I don’t even like cheesecake!) I’m planning on making this tonight for a holiday party. Just so I’m clear…the pie plate doesn’t actually sit on top of the 9×13 inch pan with hot water while in the oven? It sits on a separate rack, a few inches north, yes? (Clearly, this lady knows not a thing about cheesecake bakin’.) Thank you!
Shannon Tanner
Joy – you are the bestest and yes thats my word and I’m sticking to it. I made this cheesecake for thanksgiving and my family was amazed. I dio have a springform pan in my cabinet that is 3-5yrs old and never been used for cheesecake so I whipped it out and took this recipe on. WOW delicious!
NE Salzy
I just found your website – awesome – I will definitely be back for some of these lucious recipes! I just love to cook and bake!
Sophia
This was DELICIOUS. Although, a warning to all those who attempt:
The caramel will harden ALL the way, if you put it in the fridge for half an hour or more, and it will be like fudge and you won’t be able to pour it. Stick in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, and it’ll be soft again and it’ll all work fine.
Kaitlin
Made this for Thanksgiving! Rave reviews! The only thing is, I couldn’t get it to slice all pretty–the caramel was oozing and sticking to the knife. What’s your secret?
Katie
Made this this afternoon for TG tomorrow. It looks good and is in the fridge cooling. All I could think about when making the caramel was master chef and those poor kids eating grainy caramel. That definitely kept my spoon out of the pot! Thanks for the recipe. I can’t wait to eat it!
elisha ;)
When making cheesecake–be sure that your cheesecake is puffed and has no more of that “loose giggle” in the center. got it? i do!
(love your blog SO MUCH, joy! the typos (and the amazing fluffy cat) make it just so much better!)
terri
oh i am dying. this looks so good. cheesecake is one of my fav recipes but salty caramel….heaven!
i just have to say the pic with the kitty is just absolutely ADORABLE! cant wait to try this amazing recipe! happy holidays! xo
Jennifer
I’m currently a sophmore in college and my flatmates (apartmentmates? roommates? I prefer flatmates) and I have made Friday Night Baking a thing. We’ve pretty much stuck to your recipes. We made this cheesecake and then brought it to a potluck and it was a hit. Slash we were so proud of ourselves when we successfully made delicious caramel on an electric stove! Ours looked less delicious, of course, seeing as our resources are quite limited. We didn’t even have a pie pan. We had to buy the cheapest one we could from Safeway. It was too small. With the extra batter we put full ginger snaps in the bottom of muffin cups and poured the batter over them. The cookies got nice and melty and delicious. Perfect Friday night snack. And no one had to know we ate some of the cheesecake before bringing it to the potluck…
Jean
You give such sweet and honest advice…and such indulgent pictures, too.
I can’t wait to try this cheesecake – I’m pretty nervous about making caramel, not having made (and burnt ) the sugar when I was 11. I’m sure it’ll work out just fine…
pommesetcaramel
I made this cheesecake this week for my first time having two friends around for dinner in my very tiny apartment. I was looking for inspiration for a great dessert and went to check your website and there it was, staring me with caramely deliciousness. I had never made cheesecake in my life and thought it was difficult to make. But it turned out heavenly. I made a post on my blog on the cheesecake I made (I only changed a few things), linking back to your own post. Please tell me if you find I didn’t do it correctly. But thank you for the recipe, which was amazing and got us three wanting more =)
Liz
The same happened to me! I’m a caramel failure
Heather
Hi Joy, I have the Cheesecake cooling. In my sad attempt to make the caramel something went wrong. My mixture came to a boil and started to brown, I removed from the heat but as soon as I added the cream and butter something happened and the sugar clumped up and there was no salvage. I had a beautiful amber colored rock…..Could have made a nice ring….but not Caramel! What did I do wrong? Were the Cream and Butter supposed to be at Room Temp?? Help! I need to take this to a party tomorrow afternoon!! Thanks!
Jill
Okay, question. I made this tonight, the cheesecake looks/smells amazing and is pure perfection. On the other hand, I didn’t get the caramel sauce right… it is lighter in color than yours but super thick… what did I do wrong!?!? Can I thin the caramel sauce back out somehow or do I need to start over!?!? Anyone!?!?
I know it was something I probably did wrong… either way, can’t wait to dig into this pie on Sunday. I’m doing a little pre-Thanksgiving feast with some family here at my house.
joythebaker
the caramel will be thick when it’s cool. just place in the microwave for a few seconds and it will loosen.
Tatiyana
And, PS…girl in Chicago…..boys don’t grow up until they are at LEAST 35…..trust me. So have fun in your 20’s but don’t worry about the future. Only about 1% of all people marry their high school sweetheart. And about 95% of those get divorced:) So have fun, be safe, be yourself, and have fun:)
Jessi Doores
Joy,
I read your blog! I just do it secretly and in the shadows. But I have a lot to catch up on-i looove all of your bread recipies-and: November=pumpkin month. I could not wait to make pumpkin bread-but had only whole wheat flour, oatmeal, raisins+ craisins, eggs, a can of pumpkin, cinnomon, agave nectar and truvia packets..I was also lacking a bread pan( living in a college apt w/ minimal supplies) But I had a cookie sheet-so i made super low-fat pumpkin cookies-oh did i forget to mention I also am NEVER without chocolate in my house-so i chopped up an extra dark(80%) chocolate bar to add in a well. And for ginger flavor-i seeped in some ginger tea i made(yogi).
You know-if you put a can of pumpkin in baking-you can get away with not adding butter or oil?! Cool. But to get to the point! I have my Thanksgiving break off college starting this Friday and am planning on making your Salted caramel cheesecake(I’ve never made caramel before-but im excited to try!) and your double delishiously dipped apple rings of JOY! My brothers and little sister will be very happy. :]
*also on a side note-Mr stevens should always be a part of the blogworld. He is addooorable and reminds me SOO muh of my best friends kitty-Kingsley Zizou-who also shows up in her baking photography…and who I told today how much I appreciate her-thanks to your lovely Wednesday advice!
Jamie
OMG, this looks exactly like a cheesecake I get at a restaurant. To buy it, it’s $40. One question, the one I get at the restaurant is gluten free, is this one?
Jessi
Unfortunately it wouldn’t be because of the gringersnap crust (def wheat and gluten in there!) But one thing i’ve found when making gluten-free pie crusts is you can use a tasty flavor of choice gluten-free cereal such as Honey Nut Rings Cereal or Apple and Cinnamon Rings by Glutino..but there are plenty other gluten free brands you could find that may work best for you!
Jamie
Thanks for the reply. I assumed it was not. Fortunately, I don’t need gluten free but my friend who also loves the cheesecake at the restaurant does and I was hoping to provide her with the recipe gluten free. :)
Joanna
I am making this with Lucy’s gluten free sugar cookies for the crust, direct substitute in for the gingersnaps. Your friend would love you for it!
Kat
Hi,
Trader Joes makes gluten free ginger snaps–and so does Lucy’s and Annies, just google them :)
Allie
Are you starting a new podcast?? The We’re About to be Friends one listed on the Homefries website!? Yesssssssssss!
Morgansmenu
Whaaaat iiiiiif I used half-and-half instead of heavy cream? Don’t be mad (it’s just what I have in the house atm)!
Nicole R.
Hi Joy! Any substitute for ginger snap cookie crumbs? They’re not available in my country and I seriously need to make this cheesecake. Tnx!
P.S.
You are hilarious! I love the way you write…and tell stories…and cook…awesome :)
joythebaker
graham cracker cookie crumbs would be equally great!
Natalie
Now this is a perfect recipe!
Joanna
So… If I made the crust out of gluten free sugar cookies, could I expect a good result? I feel like I am going to have to try this.
Jennifer Kley
I can’t even take what I THINK this dessert tastes like—it looks that good.
tura
why would you tell the person asking the question to not sleep around?
Kelly
Don’t stop posting cat pic’s! They always make me smile :)
Lucy
I love the cat picture and I love the advice. Become an awesome and independent woman and forget about stupid old boys. I must try this cheesecake–but have to get some chocolate in there somewhere I think!
phatima hakimi
i should do that for saturday #47 :D
Subhadra
I love your blog and keep coming back again and again for my weekly dose of recipes. Your pictures are also fabulous.
I want to bake the cheesecake today, so I made the caramel sauce yesterday. But the sauce came out too thick, I think the cream was extra heavy. When it cooled, it is not in pouring consistency any more. How can I loosen it? Should I use milk or a little bit more of butter?
Marilyn
Oh. my. goodness. I am so so so making this for my best friend. She is in LOVE with salted caramels. She is going to love love love this! Thank you Joy! : )))
betty
THIS LOOKS DIVINE! thanks for the tips on making caramel, ive always been too scared..
Cookie
Now, THAT is the cutest picture of your cat so far!! (All of them are cute, but this one is beyond cute!)
Stacey
Joy, you’re serious amounts of honest, upfront, funny and delightful. The world needs more women like you :)
michellj
I swear everytime I come to this blog (daily) I read something that feels like you have been secretly watching my life and/or reading my diary. I too had a horrendous haircut in highschool. I asked for the Hallie Berry (with my out of control mixed hair) and I got what my family calls the Hoollie Burry cause it looks nothing like her. I too took nothing but nerd elite classes (I was in the ap classes for the grade ahead of me.) I never, ever had a boyfriend. I went to prom with my best gay boyfriend who is now a woman. And I had to ask him. Your advice for high school is pretty much dead on, as is the whole dont sleep around in college thing. You will feel better about yourself in general and it will be the best decision you could have ever made. That and dont dress skanky for Halloween. Keep the posts and the cooking coming, I enjoy them more than I should.
christine [the sugar apothecary]
You are a master of adaptation, Joy. No springform pan? No problem! This looks unbelievable… It’s been so long since I’ve made cheesecake! Oh, and that caramel… Kitty better watch out or he’s going to be miiiiighty sticky. Totally worth it, though.
Byrne
Joy, please do an entire post on how to get through high school! Or maybe an entire post justifying why it would be okay to drop out and bake all day. That’s the plan for me, lately. 6 AP classes is getting to be a few too many.. I don’t really like cheesecake, but you have plenty of other recipes to keep me sane.
Leah
Joy, you’re the best :)
SS {Curries and Cakes}
Wow…cheesecake….I never make cheesecake either because it seems so heavy and too fancy….but this seems fancy in a gooood way….like a make-able totally eat-able-in-really-short-time fancy…if that makes any sense. And I like your cat pictures!!!! Good things should be kept going.
Kristi
The photo with Jules peeking at the pie is just gorgeous. I know you’re humble about your photography but your pictures are (all) always awesome, and he’s such a beautiful creature I never tire of seeing him. Besides…. he’s an important piece of your day to day life, and….. I think everybody who comes here loves all the little pieces of your life that you share with us. Cause we all just really like the heck out of ya. That’s why we come back. The food is A-mazing, sure. But we come back again and again cause we just really, really like YOU. You’ve been a bright spot in so many days you’ll never even know you changed. You rock. (And you must have some awesomely good karma coming at you for putting so much good stuff out in the world.)
Karen P
I learned long ago how easy it is to make cheesecake. And people are always think that I’ve toiled lobf in the kitchen. But I haven’t. Once you try one, you’ll want to do to more. I did. And still do. There are many cookbooks devoted to cheesecake; I know this because I own some of them. I don’t think I’ve ever met a cheesecake I didn’t like. Joy, I can’t wait to try this. Because you said the magic word: caramel. That’s just like a piece of heaven….
Alicia @ Treble Tart
This looks heavenly!! Also, I love the cat pictures. Mostly because I love cats. ;)
Latika
Mmmmm…cheesecake. Going shopping for the ingredients right now.
Celeste
I’m in high school and I love your blog!
I struggled with anorexia freshman year but your blog showed me how to be healthy and awesome. Now I’m a junior and I’m still reading–I can’t get enough of your humor and unique writing style, and beautiful pictures! ……and I totally have awkward boy drama all the time. keep being awesome :)
mich
looks sooo good! will be trying soon for sure.
umm… is the picture for the caramel with the caption of “sugar” actually cream?
Kate
Joy! That was exactly me in high school! Granted high school was only 3 years ago. I played volleyball and asked someone to prom. Your blog is amazing. It inspires me to work harder on mine.
Kate
AND I was an editor of my school’s newspaper!
liz@carpeseason
I was just looking for a cheese cake recipe, and salted caramel makes the world a better place.
Here’s to awkward haircuts and no prospects of a boyfriend in high school. Huzzah.
Laura
Hi!,
is there a good substitute for corn syrup I can use? I can’t find it in the supermarkets where I live, and I don’t want my caramel to cristalize…
bethh
I’ve been struggling with caramel – not butter + sugar, but when you just do the sugar alone. An epic tutorial would not go amiss, if you have any sugar skills (and I’m betting you do)!
ps please don’t go to only-facebook commenting. I don’t like it, won’t use it, and then I can’t comment. sadface.
Kristin @ FoodFash
My oh my that pie is dreamy! Salted caramel anything belongs in my belly!
Jen
Please keep up the cat pictures, even if you have a child! Normally I am not a fan of cat pictures, but maybe that’s for the same reason I’m not a fan of baby pictures, because the people posting them are generally all “Here’s my cat/baby! Isn’t he cute? Isn’t she the most precious thing you’ve ever seen? OMG, here are five pictures of my cat/baby taken from slightly different angles! Aren’t they all the cutest thing ever? Did you know I have a cat/baby? Here’s a picture!” Yours are just more organic, and fit in well with your blog.
Also, I am clearly in a super-bitchtastic mood today, and perhaps I need some cheesecake to fix that.
Mary
LOL…thanks for the morning giggle. I totally get where you’re coming from: ‘five thousand pictures from *slightly* different angles totally makes the infant look different, *five thousand* times.’ Not. I hope you get to enjoy your cheesecake, and revel in the knowledge that there are others who feel the same way! :)
Sarah
Dear Joy,
I prefer cat pictures to baby pictures. Seriously. Everyone and their sister (or brother) posts baby pictures. Babies are nice in person. But on the internet? Not usually so great. So…. Yay cats!
Also, yay salted caramel. I really need to make some of this at some point. New goal: make caramel candies for Christmas.
Zoë Winters
I don’t think there is such a thing as an annoying cat picture!!! Your blog and you are amazing! You make my tummy rumble! :) I hope your weekend is full of joy! Zoë x
Lucia
I’m not in high school anymore, but if I would, I’d love to read you and to learn from you how to be an awesome independent women. Love the caramel.
Anne
I love cats:) :) Tihi, I just posted one of the families cats on my blog:) They are so cute:) This recipe sounds so good….. salt and caramel is very good friends:) yummy
Elizabeth T
Don’t stop posting cat pictures. And don’t worry, he doesn’t show up too often on your blog ;)
Mel
Hi Joy, do you think this would work with a pumpkin cheesecake? If so, do you have any guesses of how I would convert it? I decided long ago I wanted a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. BUT now that I see this. The decisions are so hard. Maybe it would work together :)
joythebaker
this recipe would work well with a pumpkin cheesecake. find a pumpkin cheesecake recipe and go for it!
Darcee
I hated high school, way awkward years for me. Way to give the teenagers some real world wisdom. I have been following you for awhile. After this post, I realized…..I am freaking in love!!! You put caramel topped with sea salt on top of cheesecake. Oh my goodness, favorite things right there. Thanks!!
Cupcake Kat
Thanks for the cheesecake advice and the high school advice. I’m in university now I think I can still use it. Please never stop posting cat pictures!
kellybeth
I check your blog every day. Your highschool life sounds like my highschool life was. I’m a sophomore in college now…still kind of sounds like my life. I’ve been growing out horrendously short bangs since January. It’s a problem.
It occurs to me how often I read your site, and how often it resonates with me and makes me giggle, but I rarely comment on anything. Just wanted you to know you’re a hero of mine, and I still hope for a penpal letter. Because I think we would be buds.
And I like your cat. By the way.
Carla
Love your stuff, girl. Keep up the good work.
Milynda
Okay so I did the thing that you are not really supposed to do. I licked the spoon… a lot…not enough to make the filling short in the crust…but a lot. Then I almost felt guilty. Now, I am making this for a party and it is the good thing to do to bring the whole pie (uncut) to the party. It may not make it that way. I will totally lie and say that I was doing quality control but we all know the truth…I just could not wait.
Shannon
Ah, high school woes….
I’d add that the guy she’s crushing on probably won’t be oh so desireable post-high school. Looking back, it seems the guys I and other girls had crushes on are now overweight, under-employed, and lackluster. It’s the smart, quiet, guys who are overlooked in high school that go on to become greatness.
Jayne
You read my mind. I just baked a cheesecake this morning and was wondering what to top it with… Though I know my crowd might not like caramel. Maybe a fruity syrup but I love how your cheesecake looks! Wish we had gingersnaps here.
Mary (Garnished Blog)
Joy, joy, joy!
When I first saw your blog, I thought, there’s no way she’s as sweet as her cooking. It’s toooo good. Wrong. You’re the bee’s knees.
Caramel rocks, and so does letting high school girls know that life is awkward, and that’s okay. So are kitties in blogs- that’s okay too, we love them and highly encourage it. Mine was raised in a bathtub before we adopted him. He thinks he’s a people. And you know what? Babies (“the next step”- hahahaha) are even more awkward.
Keep it up :) We love ya.
Anne
NEVER stop posting your amazing cat pictures, they always make me smile (and they’re beautiful)!
High School…man. I was that girl who had a crush foreverrrrr (over years) but never acted on it, so I know the pain. Believe me, it’s worth asking and dating that guy even if you will be split up later on. Never pass up an experience like that! Cheesecake with caramel on it may be a bad thing to pass on too. Just saying… :)
Jennifer
I absolutely love your advice to the high school girl. As a collegiate aged woman I totally look up to you myself because you’re an awesome and independent woman and I am currently learning how to be one. Thanks for being someone for me to look up to.
Kim Bee
First time commenting on your blog. Love your sense of humor. This recipe is amazing and I want it too. And I’m telling ya, my kids are 17 and 22 and they complain constantly that I have more pics of the cats (we have 3 ragdolls) than I do of them….combined. Don’t even get me started on the puppy or the horse. My poor kids. Lol.
pam
oh…high school. if i liked a guy that long….i would ask him out. boys just don’t get it. my my whole theory…lets just figure this out now and move on. it might work. it might not. but at least we tried. and when i’m 50 i know i tried. BTW…i asked my husband out on the first date and if i didn’t ask i know i would have never seen him again – we were both traveling. 14 years later – totally in love.
joy you make me smile on this friday…love is nice.
Kelly
That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I think I may have to make it this weekend! I wish I had this to read when I was in high school because that advice was money.
Micha Davis
I love cheesecake and bought a springform pan specifically so I could bake them. As it turns out, I hate the thing and always bake my cheesecakes in a 9 inch round cake pan and a water bath. The texture is perfect and they are phenomenal. So much for perceived necessities.
jess
reading your blog makes me happy.
AlleyKitten
Keep the cat in the pictures. I like the cat.
(I would rather see pictures of someone’s cat in the background of food than their ugly children)
Annabel
Hey! Lovelovelove your blog! I am in 10th grade and i love to bake! and i hate high school…. But listening to your podcast and reading your blog just makes my week! :) thanks for that! your recipes are delicious too and i’ve been trying out recipes alone on friday nights… when my friends go out… ahah but thankssssssss a bundle, your blog is totes ma goats the best around! lol <3!
Kathrin
The cat is soooo sweet, and not at all annoying!!
i love those pictures!!!
gingers rule :)
Winnie
I’ve got two kids and I still post annoying cat pictures. Love your advice, and your cheesecake looks great.
Danae (The Busty Baker)
Your high school experience sounds a lot like mine. AP classes, awkwardly short hair, no boyfriend prospects. But at least you had the guts to ask out a prom date. I went alone because I was too terrified to ask the guy I liked. Or anyone for that matter. And I was too damn shy to even ask him to dance at prom even though he was just standing there by himself all night after his b***h of a date ditched him after they got there. I still kind of regret that.
Amazing cheesecake btw. And keep posting the cat pictures!
Gary @ The Greedy Fork
I love your blog. Obviously the food, recipes and photos are fab, but what I REALLY like is the way you write. So personal and friendly.
I remember secondary school (England) as fancying boys I’d have no chance with (mostly because they were straight. Awkward). So no chance of sneaking behind the bike shed.
Elizabeth
This looks divine! Cheesecake is not #1 on my list of sweet treats either, but I am going to have to give this one a whirl.
Christine
Some awesome advice I got once from a baker at King Arthur Flour was to bake a cheesecake in a standard 2″ deep cake pan and cool completely. Once it’s ready to serve, briefly heat over a burner just to loosen the bottom, gently flip the cake onto a plate, and flip back onto a serving platter. Worked perfectly and I never had to use a leaky springform pan with miles of foil on it.
Andrea
My thoughts exactly. You don’t need a springform pan! (Although I have like 12) I never bake my cheesecakes in springform pans! A helpful way to get the cheesecake out of a standard cake pan is to freeze it overnight flip it out in the morning then onto a plate and you’ll have yummy cheesecake by lunch.
Dominique
I totally wanted to make this with my friends today, I really did. I sat in French class, obsessing over this, but they just didn’t seem to get it. It’s almost like they were against this cheesecake. Against me, that is.
So we made blondies instead. But I’ll be back.
Cassie
I am in complete adoration. I love salted caramel, husband loves cheesecake. This is a match made in heaven!
Baking Holly
You are like the coolest ever. I should send you questions about college!! I think making cheesecake makes you seem so prestigious. oh yes. prestige.
christina @ ovenadventures
Good advise Joy. Become independant. I have so many friends who never learned this and are NOT better off.
Cheesecake looks fabulous. I don’t have a springform pan and I can NEVER cut a cookie crust to come out in one piece. This looks soo fabulous. Glad to see your kitten likes it too – love the pic btw.
Amalia
Yeah, I’m in high school and I just can’t wait to get out and begin my career. High school is a really just a joke, and the truth is, the people around you are immature and don’t know how to act. But to change the subject, this cheesecake looks awesome! I love how you don’t own a springform pan, but you still come up with something that looks even better! :)
Eliza
This looks so good!
heather @ chiknpastry
holy heck. LOVE the caramel cheesecake and LOVE the cat peeking behind the chair. that’s totally what my cat does with food, too; otherwise she is sleeping all. dang. day.
lynn @ the actor's diet
what’s funny is that i made cheesecake ALL THE TIME in high school. but i’m much happier today. how is that possible?
Ellie@fitforthesoul
Ommmagooodness thank you thank you thank you!!!! My friend wants to have a “baking date” with me soon, and she really wants to make cheesecake! I’ll def. ask her if this appeals to her….I mean, why wouldn’t it?! :D And I like your concluding tips about being an independent woman! True that. ;)
Katie
love this advice… it wasn’t until I stopped looking at the boys my own age that I found a great one! and seriously, WHAT is it about the sweet & salty combination that makes it more addicting than really addicting substances (that i know nothing about…)????!?!?!? this pie looks AMAZING!
Elizabeth @ Coppertop Kitchen
The last picture is awesome! I love that napkin – where’d ya get it? :-)
Carissa
Somehow, despite the fact that I don’t even like cheesecake, I own 2 springform pans. One is round and the other is heart shaped. I love that heart shaped pan. Even though I’ve used it maybe twice. Totally worth keeping!
Liz
I know that when I was in high school I needed all the help I could get! Although I don’t think I could have managed this delicious looking cheesecake – one time I tried to make brownies and they turned out so hard my friend and I through the whole pan into the field (pan included because we couldn’t get them out.) Another time we made pancakes with no eggs and made my little brother sick!
I like to think my cooking and baking skills have improved since then. :)
Mary Beth
Please continue with the cat pictures. I love them!
I also love cheesecake :).
Ann P.
AMAZING cheesecake pie! And I totally am with you on the no-spring-form-pan thing. You gave me the perfect solution! :) Thanks JOy
Sarah @ Engineering Deliciousness
OMG- Joy, I came here like 2 days ago looking for a cheesecake recipe and was heartbroken when I couldn’t find one. You’re like my cheesecake recipe-fulfilling muse! Plus, salted caramel is involved? Yeah- we should just be friends.
Sarah
Being a high schooler myself, I appreciated this post! I also appreciate the amazing looking cheese cake. Pie, and caramel…two of my favorite things to eat. Can’t wait to make this!
Emily D.
1. I hope a child doesn’t mean no more cat pictures (because I like cats a whole lot more than babies).
2. Baking is pretty much the only reason I survived my senior year of high school.
Laura@FoodSnobSTL
We has the SAME high school experience. My prom date, who I also had to ask, and I both had braces though, which make the pictures proof that it was indeed an very awkward period of my life :)
This looks amazing, and I think I will make it for Thanksgiving since I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin pie. I know, completely un-American.
Kacie @ A Collection of Passions
OOOOOOOH MYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOD! That looks amazing. Salted caramel is right up my alley. I think I might have to make this for Thanksgiving. Screw pumpkin pie!
Kacie
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Oooh what a wonderful looking cheesecake! I am also not a huge fan but with the caramel and cookie crust I think I could get into it. Did the cookie crust stay together pretty well? I always seem to have trouble with them crumbling. As for the high school girl, I would say make it pretty obvious that you’re interested and if he blows you off, well, high school is practically over anyways so no need to feel embarassed. You’ll either get together with him and make it work with college or you won’t get together and you’ll start a new awesome life at college.
sweetmaddy
Yum this looks great! Please don’t EVER stop posting cat pictures, even if you do have a kid! Your kitty is sooooo cute! :)
nicole {sweet peony}
wowwww this looks so good! i have awkward high school memories & even more awkward middle school memories. this cheesecake makes me forget both :)
Lisa L
Still waiting for my man to grow up (he’s 52!)
I love your food shots. I just started a food blog recently and the photography is just killing me! I can’t get my food to look near as good as yours does. I think I’m not taking enough time with it. I’m going to study your food pics and try to get some good ideas. And go to more garage sales to find some awesome dishes to place the food on!
Great advice to the girls. Sleeping around is a bad idea for so many reasons.
Thanks Joy.
tj
…Oh Joy. Please, I beg of you, STOP THE MADNESS! :o)
…Seriously woman, this looks beyond spectacular. It looks like divine x 100. And so easy, peasy too – can’t beat that.
…And to the Senior with the ‘dude’ problems, if you’re never gonna see him again then why pursue him? I mean, if you want him for his bod’ and that’s it and nothing more and you’re free like that then make your move and put the notch on your bedpost. Otherwise, tell him NOW how you feel, tell him just what you told Joy up there. Keep it short & sweet, don’t go really in depth with your feelings otherwise his eyes will glaze over and he’ll start thinking about something else while you’re talking. Really, he will. And don’t forget that no matter what your age thruout your life, men are always behind us women in maturity. Always. Good luck to you! ;o)
…Thank you for the recipe Joy! You’re da best!
…Blessings :o)
tj
…Oh, and Joy, don’t e-v-e-r stop including photos of your cat. Even after you’re married and have seven kiddos running around under foot, always include photos of your cat. He’s adorable. ;o)
…Thanks.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Great advice…I’m sure if you had given it to my daughter she would have listened to you!
High school was not the total pits but I was probably 5’11” tall by the time I was 13 so dating was sort of not in my life til my senior year when the boys FINALLY started to grow up. Physically.
College was on such a different plain…not all bad to wait until then, you can actually find someone who is sort of a man. :)
Naina @ chow bella
frickityfrack this looks amaaazing
Aberline
Wait, TWO blocks of cream cheese? The last time I looked into cheesecake recipes, they called for EIGHT blocks, whereupon I decided I was too poor to make cheesecake. This I can do!
I guess I shouldn’t rely on the Philadelphia company to be trustworthy in telling me how many cream cheeses to buy.
Darcy
1.) I’m pretty sure we could have been BFFs in high school.Perfect love life advice forever and for always.
2.) a springform pan is among the greatest items I’ve ever swiped from my mama’s kitchen. So worth obtaining one.
3.) Mainly because I’m more of a cheesecake fanatic than the golden girls, and this pie looks freaking off the chain.
4.) I was literally sitting in class about 15 minutes ago thinking about how I need a solid salted caramel recipe for a bday cake I’m making next week.
5.) you take all the nightmarish fear and intimidation out of making caramel.
6.) THANK YOU <33
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco
I’m still a student. I’m not in college.
Thanks for the tips (and the cake.)
Lea Ogozelec
I love your blog! I was first attracted to it because I have a lovely daughter who’s name also happens to be Joy, but I love it now because it is so refreshing the way you write. You also happen to create amazing recipes with awesome pictures, both with and without cats! This Salted Caramel Cheesecake will definitely be on our Thanksgiving table this year…it is my favorite flavor…thanks so much for the recipe!
By the way, my daughter Joy is just a smidge older than you…she’s 31…and she is also a culinary whiz! Her’s is more directed to chilies and stews and such and are all created from scratch and with a lot of spice, this the name of her FB page…Joy and Pain Cooking! Check it out sometime!
Tabitha@lifeofthechefswife
THIS looks amazing. Its going on my must have list for this weekend. I love caramel, however, I am a fan of the “dry method”.. so without water.
I have the same problem as some of the other comments, how do you stop your cheese cake from cracking? In this case, it wouldnt be a bad thing since caramel sauce would (drip into it) cover it but if we wanted to serve it plain, how do you do it?!?!
PS.. even when you have kids, you will still take pictures of your cat…because they will be siblings!
Gen
I loved to read about you in high school!
Your cheesecake looks fabulous and I am fond of your cat pics, they really add some kind of life to your food!
Kelsey @aslolife
Yum, that looks great! Love the gingersnap crust too!
SamCyn
I just love your style, love the advice of going to college, not sleeping around and being independant. Also, love the cat pictures b/c they remind me of a cat I had named Cruise (don’t ask)…Oh yea, and the cheesecake sounds yum!
Renee
NEVER stop posting the kitty pictures – they’re my favourites!
Annie
I am totally making this for Thanksgiving, even if I am already making two other kinds of pie.
This reminds me of a pie my mom used to make, only I think it involved instant pudding and it was kind of icky in a way, come to think of it, because it wasn’t baked. This one looks so right.
Savorique
OMG I’m so making this salted caramel cheesecake but I’ll use ricotta cheese instead – I find cream cheese too, well,… creamy.
Annalise
I’m not a huge fan of cheesecake either. But I am the world’s biggest fan of caramel. Yum. Recipe bookmarked!
Mira C
I LOVE your cat. Please do not stop posting awesomely hilarious photos of him. He reminds me of my childhood cat, except my cat (named Mr. Kiki, thanks to my brilliant naming skills as a one-and-a-half year old) was pretty chill most of the time, and yours looks like a devious cat tornado (catnado?).
You really are a great role model for the young ladies (and gents) (and older ladies and gents). High school is a rough time, and there is so much pressure for young women nowadays to be highly sexual. I was like you – dorky, didn’t date, wore awesome non-sexy Halloween costumes. It takes a lot of character to be different, and you, Ms. Joy, have a lot of character!
You can do it, high schoolers! And you’re awesome, Joy!
Emily
Geez that looks amazing! Figuring out that all caramel was was burnt sugar changed my life.. salted caramel ice cream, burnt caramel pudding – all easily within reach (usually with ingredients you already have)!
Flora
I tell girls not to bother about a boy until he’s 25. By the time the big 2-5 (ha) rolls around, you’ve both grown up a bit, and most boys have straightened out their nonsense by then. (Well, at least enough for most strong, independent ladies to tolerate. :P)
I’m totally bringing this cheesecake pie to Thanksgiving this year, this looks awesome.
Sally
Please don’t ever stop posting kitty pictures!!!
Good advice for the gal in high school. I am convinced that the people who WEREN’T awkward in high school and had an “awesome” high school experience turn into adults with unrealistic expectations. And beer guts.
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies)
I had to smile–your high school experience mirrors mine almost exactly.
Anything with salted caramel gets my vote but I’ve never thought to combine with cheesecake. This is gorgeous!
Lindsey
Oh dear god. Did you just put two of my favorite things together? Cheesecake AND salted caramel. Did you also just tell me I don’t need a springform pan OR a candy thermometer? Yes, yes you did and I think you are my new best friend. So tempted to ditch work right now and stay home and make it.
Aelish
You are an inspiration, Joy!
brandi
oh, high school. so many awkward, awkward memories. i wish i had started cooking in high school.
Alison
Please never stop posting the cat pictures. I love them. That cheesecake looks amazing.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
I’m fairly certain this is the manifestation of everything good and wonderful and happy in the world. Why do pictures of cheesecake make me happier than pictures of, oh, say…people? Possibly unhealthy.
Lisa [With Style and Grace]
I’ve been afraid to make caramel, until now. You make it sound so easy! okay okay, I’ll give it a try.
Katrine
This looks like something I would really like. Correction: this is something I know I would really really love!
Therese
Joy, I love you…again…
Nicola @ unhip squirrel
Never stop with the cat pictures! He’s such a looker!
Mallory
Looks amazing!!!
Cookie and Kate
I, too, played volleyball and took AP classes. AP calculus nearly ate my lunch. Big frizzy hair. No boyfriend. My recommendation for that girl is to go get him! Better to try than spend time regretting it in college when there are so many more guys worth crushing on. And that cheesecake… I want it bad.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
Amen to the frizzy hair, girl. It was our cross to bear. ;)
TDuke
Am loving caramel and cheesecake. Unfortunately I am currently living with someone who doesn’t like cheesecake or caramel. How absurd is that?
P.S. no thanks to you I just started my own blog.
joythebaker
that’s bonkers!!
katie @KatieDid
Your pictures are dreamy. The overhead shot of just the white cheese filling in the crust- perfect! I’m not even a big fan of cheesecake (until it’s sitting in front of me and then duh, who isn’t a fan?) but this looks so fantastic!
frieda
your blog comes up so many times when it comes to foodblogs but it took me until today to really check it out. what really stood out for me in comparison to other foodblogs: the orange cat! no kidding. you need to keep posting those pictures. i would return just for them. ok so now i’m off to read all your past entries. glad i finally stopped by.
charlotte au chocolat
That cheesecake looks amazing! I hated high school- it was probably the worst period of my life… Life started getting better after I turned 20 :)
jess
dude! high school is totally awkward. 100% unavoidable.
this recipe = amazing. you = awesome.
true story.
Sandi
Please keep the cat pictures coming even after children. You are rockin’ the gray nail polish too.
Listened to your podcast on wisdom of ladies. Agreed. Required breakfast in the morning?..ahh no.
After your post the other day, I am now paying more attention to background texture, instead of just color.
Cheesecake looks divine!
carla
I played volleyball, too! Totally awesome and fun sport. Cheers!
jen
Don’t stop the cat pictures!!! They are awesome. I love them.
Jamie K
For the record, I love the annoying cat pictures. They’re actually not annoying and they remind me to go snuggle my kitty so keep them coming!
Chris
If you weren’t on the other side of the country, I would be MORE than willing to share ALL my springform pans. They would certainly be put to better use in YOUR care than they are just collecting dust in mine….. :( I thought I “needed” them but I can’t remember using one more than twice. In over 20 years. Now THAT is sad. But I have this addiction to kitchen equipment so it couldn’t be helped! Pie plates…..I lost count but I’m sure it’s at least 20 now. All the more for experimentation then, right? Because gingersnaps aren’t popular around here, I’m thinking crushed vanilla wafer cookies with cinnamon and moving in a snickerdoodle cheesecake direction!!! That caramel is SO inspiring! Yes, just what I need…..more weight gain….. You only live once!
Rachel
Joy, you’re hilarious and dead-on with your advice.
I want this cheesecake for breakfast.
Staci
Don’t stop posting cat pictures! I have a little quilting blog and post cat pictures as well. In fact, when I don’t post cat pictures, I get email asking me where my cat is. I have grown children who read my blog, just to see the cat pictures. And I get phone calls from them, asking where are the cat pictures! I think they only come home for the holidays to see the cats.
We love cheesecake around here. In our extended family, I’m known as the cheesecake queen, and am ‘required’ to bring it to every family gathering. I never ever thought of adding salted caramel. Now you know I’ve got to try it! Thanks for the brilliant idea!
homegrown countrygirl
Oh my… I have really never been a cheesecake fan but your pretty pictures and delicious description make me want to try this!
Julie @SavvyEats
Phew, I’m not the only one who asked her dude prom date to the dance…
And I love the last photo with kitty trying to steal the cheesecake
Ashley L
I am so excited to make this! Like you, I don’t own a spring form pan. This looks absolutely perfect! Thanks for sharing. :-)
cindy
ps, I meant “your” not “you’re”…what’s wrong with me!?
cindy
ugh, high school! you’re high school experience sounds like mine, right down to the journalism and volleyball (I only played one season though!)…I also went to yearbook camp, like a nerd. It was an awkward time.
Way to be with the pie-plate cheesecake! I only make it once a year for Thanksgiving since my husbands family always wants it, but they always claim to like his mother’s more–even though she never makes it till the day of and it’s still warm and wiggly in the center. ick. I’m not bitter. Also, I’m loving that chair (?) you’re cat’s lurking behind.
Gwyn M
Joy, I’m so glad high school girls have positive female role models like you and Tracy! This story reminds me of myself years ago. I liked this one boy in high school, but I didn’t push it because he needed to grow up (and secretly, so did I), so we formed a great friendship through homeroom. 7 years after high school, we found ourselves in the same city and spending time together and we both really liked it…a year later we’re planning our wedding. Strange things happen when you don’t force them. I sometimes have flashbacks of all those awkward conversations and the tension between us in high school and just laugh; I wouldn’t go back there for a million dollars! Oh, and I’m definitely baking this cheesecake for Thanksgiving!
Sydney Bea
Beautiful! One question: how do you keep your cheesecake from cracking?
katielicht
joy! i just realized. . .you are the internet’s cool aunt. you know, the one with the great advice and cute style and perfect chesecake pie. I wish every high school girl could read this post. it’s spot on.
Gail
OMG this looks AMAZING
Becca
I adore your cat, he is so cute and I absolutely love that last picture of him eyeing the cheesecake :) And this chesecake looks amazing. I’ve only had it once in my life and I really want this one now.
Abby
Gingersnap Crust?! Dang. I don’t even like cheesecake, but would be willing to try this.
Clair
This is gorgeous.
Also, you in high school sounds like me in high school sounds like a lot of girls in high school who didn’t grow up too fast and had a little bit o’ brains.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
OK you and i must have been high school twins…i did ALL of those things too! and your advice is spot-on…i never really worried that much about boys but it can be confusing as heck. thinking about texting in high school on top of that makes me break out in hives…
Stephanie
Well this recipe is a must try. Enjoyed this post … good advise. Oh and I love the picture with the cat!
Jen
Don’t stop posting cat photos. Don’t stop preaching the good girl way of life. Don’t stop making cheesecakes. And don’t stop having so much courage!
Jocelyn
I for one love cat photos because your cat is GORGEOUS. So is your food!
Ginny
Joy, I’ve been reading your blog for close to five years now. I have to say, you are one of the kindest, most genuine and down to earth people I’ve ever “met”. Thank you for sharing your life, your heart, and your baked goods with all of us.
Nicole, RD
What a cute reader! And Chicagoans sooo don’t have an accent. :)
Joy, no springform pan? That’s pretty sad, and by pretty sad, I mean really sad. YOU’RE JOY THE BAKER!!!
martina
Don’t you dare to stop posting picture of your gorgeous cat! I need it! I miss my little one I have left with my parents in law. I hate quarantine!
You are very lovely to give advice to high school girls: it’s such a difficult time to live through! And the cheesecake was really needed!
Cheers Martina
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Cheesecake AND caramel…in one? I am so in!
Thanks for the tips on the caramel sauce making. And about being in high school. I’m surely not in h.s. but your tips are worth reading for any woman, any age, any time in life.
As always, you rock, Joy!
Shushmi
CAT PICTURES ARE NOT ANNOYING! I love them. They make me grin at the screen like a crazy cat lady. they make me happy!
Elle
I’m soooooooooo going to make this cake!
unfortunately not today as I have no cream cheese and am too lazy to go to the store… so today I’ll stick to my original plan of baked rice pudding and next weekend – this pie.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
I agree — great high school advice :) And FANTASTIC cheesecake (kitty has good taste).
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Best high school advice ever. Seriously spot on!
Love this cheesecake! I have to wonder if I’d eat all the caramel before pouring it over top, though.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Ohhh high school. I loved every minute of it, but definitely remember the awkward boys. Good thing this lady has fab blogs to read too. We sure didn’t!
Laura @ KawaiiLoveYou
I hear you on highschool… only my hair was awkwardly long, not short. I looked like a wizard!
I also hear you on caramel being both not-scary to make and awesomeee. Especially salted caramel! I think another trick is having the cream be room-temperature. This cheesecake looks tooooooooo yummy.
Agnes
STOP. IT. I can’t take it. It’s not fair. Help a sister out.
p.s, don’t really, I’m gonna make this and share/not share it at all.
Rachel
This.looks.awesome. I think this is one recipe I am going to move from the hypothetical to the real. My family is going to worship me for it.
Adeline
Now I know what I’m having for lunch and dinner this weekend, thanks!
Also my dad is quite the baker and, the last time he came to visit, he bought me a spring form pan because I SHOULD have one. Then my mum got me a Le Creuset pie dish because I SHOULD have one. And they were both completely right!
I went to high school in France and always felt my hair was too frizzy and if only I were in the US I could have that glamorous high school experience like they have in TV series. My best friend went to high school in the US, felt her hair was too frizzy and envied French schools were kids are allowed to smoke. Lesson learnt: I’m grateful I never experienced Lacrosse in tiny skirts and she’s grateful she didn’t have to walk through walls of smoke at 8am. And we both found out our hair looks way better with a bit of frizz in it.
Just don’t worry too much about the little things, they really are just little things.
Sarah-Jane
Joy, what a marvelous looking piece of cheesecake! I am making this.
However, I have a question. Light corn syrup is hard to come by here in Germany. Any ideas of what I could use instead??
ps i look forward to the podcasts every week. keep em comin’!!!
Heather
I was wondering what to serve at my dinner party tommorow night. Thank you I now have the answer.
Kristyn
Salted caramel AND cheesecake!! I have no words.
I’m almost 30 and still waiting for the boys my age to grow up, sigh. Who needs boys when you have cheesecake though?
Sophie
Why do you do this to me every time? I can’t stop thinking about this cheesecake now! :D
Sarah
No way would that last 4 days in my fridge. Not a hope. It would probably get eaten whole in one enormously greedy sitting. Can’t wait to make it!!!
For Memory's Sake
I can’t tell you just how valuable this advice is (plus, I think you already know; that’s why you shared it): Go to college; don’t sleep around; learn how to be an awesome and independent woman. It’s not easy by any means, but it’s so much more worth your time. And eventually, they will grow up – granted, I’m still waiting for mine, but I’ve seen others come around.
Cheesecake is long overdue here, so I’m thrilled to see this recipe (also because it looks super tasty)! Also, ain’t no shame in licking the beaters.
Kathryn
Salted caramel + cheesecake + cat photos = perfect start to Friday.
Linda
I agree 1,000% with Kathryn!
coffeeaddict
Noooooooo! Cat pictures are a must! As much as cheesecake.
T
Hi Joy,
That cheesecake looks pretty darn awesome! I guess I think that the blanket “don’t sleep around” isn’t really what I’d tell a high school girl though. I’d tell her for sure to learn how to be strong and independent and to value herself as an awesome person. But I think that those things are not necessarily so mutually exclusive with sex.
I know for myself I never slept with anyone ’til I met my fiance at University, but that wasn’t because I thought I’d be a bad person if I had sex or anything like that. It’s because I learned to know myself, know what I want, and stick to that.
So I would tell that girl to use her wonderful amazing mind and decide what’s right for her in whatever circumstances she finds herself in. I’d tell any non-girl that too.
Stephanie Brown
Exactly! How many people you do or don’t sleep with doesn’t determine your value as a person. If you’re enjoying what you’re doing (and staying safe while doing it!) you’re gonna do just fine :)
Trina
Looks AMAY-ZING. Question though: what is the purpose of the extra pan full of water in the oven?
PS I love the cat picture… he looks like he’s going to devour it all!
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
Great post! Although I went to school in the UK (not high school!), yup, it was pretty much the same (minus the freshman and stuff!).
These cheesecake looks amazing! I love salted caramel, I will have to make it this weekend.
Karen
I love you for this recipe. I’ve been looking for a new delicious cheesecake recipe. Psychic or what?
And this will now be my birthday cake for Tuesday :)
marcella
I want some too ..
yummy
leaf (the indolent cook)
I like it when you play agony aunt. ;) I like it when you make decadent cheesecake, too!
Katie
Oh my, salted caramel cheesecake pie! This is some sort of genius.
Leatitia @ The Sweetest Year
Omg, just what I needed. Cheesecake? OH YES! Topped with camarel? SAY NO MORE! With sea salt? RUNNING TO THE GROCERY STORE!
sara
Wow, this looks SO tasty! Have to make it. :)
Robert
I usually don’t get thrilled by cakes so much, but this sounds and looks so amazingly delicious! The usual pairing for cheesecake over here in Germany is fruit, but salted caramel is a very tempting idea I have to try.
Hannah
Dr Love Joy,
Salted caramel cheesecake; just another reason to love you.
Chicago girl, I definitely think you should make out behind the bungalows, but as Joy said, keep it simple. I remember my high school teachers saying K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid), although I am pretty sure they weren’t referring to kissing.
Julie
Dang! why is everything so dang tasty around here? Yum.
Honey For Jam
Well what can I say another fantastic post! I adore cheesecake, better still caramel cheesecake…heaven!!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
Not gonna lie…I like cat photos more than kid photos. I love kids, but as a child-free lady (for now) I identify more with cat people.
I want to tell that girl who called into homefries to go for it with the dude. Ask him out. I was so self-conscious and afraid of embarrassing myself during high school that I didn’t take any risks at all, and I totally regret it. I’m almost 10 years out of high school, so I shouldn’t have regrets from that era of my life, but I can’t help but regret not taking chances and playing things safe all the time! Worst case scenario is that he doesn’t feel the same way. It may sting at first, but it won’t matter once you graduate.
I don’t have a springform pan either, so I’m pretty psyched you posted a recipe for one that can be made without! It looks quite tasty!
kangli
Your talk on high school made me smile. And the cheesecake… with caramel!!
Sara/Matchbox Kitchen
I had the same high school experience! Volleyball, AP classes, asked out my date to prom, and was a writer for the school newspaper. Wish I had any advice about getting through high school but sometimes I wonder how I got through it myself.
I just made cheesecake a couple weeks ago as well, which is odd because I’m not a fan of cheesecake at all. I made it in a 8″ square pan and lined it with parchment paper and very slowly and carefully lifted it out. I will have to try this recipe as well because I can’t get enough of salted caramel.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
GREAT advice, Joy! I especially like your advice about college of “learning how to be an awesome and independent woman.”
Salted caramel – delicious!
Wherever did you get that orange Creuset pot??!! I have the exact same one and it was a wedding gift of my mother’s from 1967!! I’m in love with mine and can’t believe I almost sold it a our garage sale. So very glad I didn’t.
Lori
Whoa baby…my two favorite things: salted caramel (I’d like this intravenously please) and cheesecake. This is a keeper!
I think your advice was brilliant: forthright and honest but with the proper dose of sarcasm! As a parent of a tween girl, I know the road ahead is…complicated.
Natashia@foodonpaper
*drool*
Couldn’t agree more about high school. I wish had someone told me “look, just get through it, don’t worry about the bitchy girls, the dodgy guys, and the pressure of study, cos when you leave, that’s when life begins”.
Jen @ the baked life
Never stop posting cat photos. Ever.
Cheesecake + salted caramel = amazing.
Abigail
I need this in my life.