Birthday Cajun Food (and a Cheesecake)

By: Unknown on 8:57 AM

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My husband's birthday was last week and I cooked him his favorite meal: jambalaya.  It has become somewhat of a tradition and it's a dish I only make once or twice a year so it's a pretty special occasion when it graces our dinner table.

Check out my recipe here

I always make a special birthday dessert and this year's was a vanilla mousse cheesecake.  For those of us watching our waistlines, it's really frightening how easy it is to make a cheesecake!  This one turned out beautifully.
Check out the recipe below:

Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake

Ingredients
- 40 crushed vanilla wafer cookies
- 3 tbsp. melted butter
- 4 8 oz packages of cream cheese
- 1 cup sugar (divided)
- 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 8 oz whipped topping (thawed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 and mix wafer crumbs and melted butter until it is the consistency of wet sand.  Press gently into the bottom of a springform pan.

2. Beat 3 packages of softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp. vanilla with a mixer until well blended.  Scrape down the sides and add the eggs into the mix one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition until combined.

3. Pour mixture over the crust and bake 50-55 min. until the center is just set.  If you want to avoid cracks in the top or drying out the cheesecake, you can bake it in a water bath.  I wasn't concerned and knew I'd be covering the top anyhow, so I went without this time.

4. When the cheesecake is done, let it cool completely in the pan (2-4 hours).  Make the mousse topping by beating the remaining 8 oz of cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tbsp. vanilla until well blended.  Fold in the whipped topping and spread over the cooled cheesecake.

5. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.  You can easily dress up this cheesecake with fruit toppings, chocolate curls or candied nuts and caramel.

Our 8-month-old daughter was a big fan!