Pecan Praline Cheesecake Recipe

You know how I said we never do anything on New Years? Well last night friends of ours with 4 boys still at home (they have 6 all together) came by to pick up 2 of my boys that were spending the night at their house. We ended up hanging out until after 1:00 a.m. and ringing in the New Year with our laughter.

They are coming back to day and she is bringing all the food she was planning to make and I am making all that I was planning to make for potentially the biggest feast ever. Our menu looks something like this:

Pork chops, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes (she is from Pa.)

Tourtiere

Black eyed peas, Pecan smoked Andouille, and Spinach (I lived there too but I have been away longer)

Corn Bread (found an awesome local grinder so it is pure stone ground cornmeal with no additives)

Pecan Praline Cheesecake

Buche Noel (if I feel like it..I have not made on yet this year and my family is cranky- will share that recipe too)

This is a traditional cheesecake at our house during the holidays. And often other times!

Pecan Praline Cheesecake

Graham Cracker crust, pressed in to a 9″ springform. Wrap aluminum foil around base of springform and partially up sides.
Cheesecake:

32 oz cream cheese- room temp
2 c brown sugar
6 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 c chopped pecans
16 oz sour cream

Beat cream cheese and sugar until mixed well at slowest speed. You do not want to incorporate air or the cake will lose the rich density you are looking for.Add eggs one at a time.fold in vanilla, pecans, and sour cream by hand. Pour into a prepared crumb crust in a 9″ springform pan.
Place in a bain marie at 375 for 45 minutes. Turn off oven and let set for one hour. remove from oven, cool and refrigerate covered. Placing paper towel on top of cake will soak up any condensation.
Before serving make glaze:
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c unsalted butter
melt together in a small pan, stirring until butter and sugar are melted together and sauce is bubbling. Pour over top of cooled cheesecake and sprinkle more chopped pecans (or arrange pecan halves) on top. Serve
Serves 12 at least.
Just before serving run a knife around cake and remove from pan.