After hearing celebrity gossip that cable TV networks were adding same sex couples as leading characters in prominent storylines to their otherwise cliche, predictable Christmas rom-coms, Ramiro and I decided set our DVR and see what the fuss was about. Much to our delight these new films were equally as tacky and predictable as their straight Christmas counterparts and added some much-needed levity to the 2020 COVID-shrouded holidays. The best were Dashing in December (Paramount) featuring the fabulous Andie MacDowell and The Christmas Setup (Lifetime) with flawless Fran Drescher. Both were fun, but what does this have to do with cheesecake?
Dashing had more than just Peter Porte and Juan Pablo Di Pace as eye candy. During the first ad break, a commercial running at Tik Tok speed transformed a block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese into a glorious maple walnut cheesecake. After the movie ended we found the video streaming on the Kraft Foods Facebook page and took notes. Head there if you want to try the movie version, the recipe below is slightly modified … I’m not a huge fan of walnuts so toned down their contribution and took a few lazy shortcuts, notably replacing pre-baking the crust with a short stint in the freezer.
Assemble ingredients 
Combine graham crackers and melted butter with a fork 
Pack tightly in a 9″ cheesecake pan and toss in the freezer 
Use ROOM TEMPERATURE blocks of cream cheese 
Blend with Kitchen Aid 
Combine eggs and maple syrup separately 
Slowly pour maple syrup and eggs into Kitchen Aid while it’s running on low, mix for a few more minutes until perfectly blended 
Pour on top of semi-frozen crust 
Gently shake until evenly distributed 
Bake 
Top with Maple Cream glaze and walnuts 
Serve with Moet champagne 
Enjoy!
Ingredients
Crust
2 cups of graham crackers (crushed)
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon melted butter
Filling
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 cup sour cream
4 blocks of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/2 cup maple syrup
4 eggs
Topping
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup whipping cream
Handful of whole walnuts
Special Equipment
Works best with a cheesecake pan that has spring form sides and a removable bottom. Buy one that includes non-stick baking paper liners.
A mixing bowl with a pour spout is helpful.
Steps
Step 1 – Preparation
Allow cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, and all cold ingredients to come to room temperature before starting, at least 2 hours outside the refrigerator.
Make it easy on yourself and assemble all the ingredients before you begin.
Step 2 – Crust
First … combine the graham crackers and brown sugar in a food processor.
While the food processor is running on low, slowly pour in the melted butter.
Pack tightly into a non-stick cream cheese baking pan (with removable sides) using a weighted press.
Place in a freezer while you make the filling.
Step 3 – Filling
In a Kitchen Aid, combine the brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and sour cream on medium speed until nicely blended.
On a slower speed, combine each brick of cream cheese separately until nicely blended.
On the side, in a separate mixing bowl, break 4 eggs and whisk together into the maple syrup. A mixing bowl with a pour spout is handy here. Slowly pour this into the cream cheese filling as the mixer is running on a low speed. Continue to increase mixing speed until well blended.
Remove crust from freezer, pour in filling.
Bake at 325 for 1 hour.
IMPORTANT: allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven with the door open slightly. Removing from the oven immediately after cooking will cause the cake to crack.
Cool then refrigerate for 4 hours (minimum) or overnight.
Step 4 – Topping
Combine maple syrup and whipping cream and simmer on a stove until it reduces 40% to 50%, depending on how thick you want the topping to be.
Let sauce reach room temperature, 15 to 30 minutes.
Pour over cheesecake then top with wanluts.
Enjoy!
Slice and enjoy with a glass of Moet and Chandon Imperial Brut … it wouldn’t be gay cheesecake without it!
Substitutions
The original recipe’s pie crust was 1/2 ground walnuts and 1/2 graham crackers, if you’re into that sort of thing. Seems nuts to me.
Feel free to comment, I would love to hear from you