No, it’s not something out of “Captain Underpants” that attacked the school. It literally was the best cheesecake I’ve ever had.

This 10 year old wanted nothing to do but spend time in the kitchen with me doing what I love to do the most. Bake. Not just any old baking, but baking the best, most splendiferous desserts I possibly can. 

I believe that between my husband and I, we make a great “Cheesecake/Beefcake” pair. Now we’ve got this KID and I have no idea what to call him besides “Peanut,” maybe “Knucklehead.” 

This all changed when he was given a kid’s cookbook for Christmas, and off he went. I’m not sure why he chose cheesecake, being how challenging it is to make! But he did. He’s taller than me now but loves to spend time messing up the kitchen with me and for that, I am grateful. I questioned his ability, but shouldn’t have because man was I wrong!

Cheesecake needs to be tall, fluffy, and creamy!

When I bake them, they turn out flat, cracked, and too dense. 

What he pulled out of the oven put the Cheesecake Factory to shame.

What the HECK! 

What makes cheesecake delicious?

Ask Google and you’ll get 182 million answers in less than a second. Most of the answers lead you to recipes that are “perfect.” I can tell you, those perfect recipes didn’t work for me.

I have to ask myself, what is it really about that makes cheesecake such a unique and delicious dessert?

Some people like it short and dense, while others like me like it thick and fluffy. Some people put an extra egg in their cheesecake, giving it a bit more creaminess, and others add cornstarch or flour to make it easier to cut and thus losing some of the creaminess.

Then you have the Cheesecake Factory style, which some people love and others think is simply wrong. They have EVERY flavor you can possibly imagine and will likely consider your suggestions like a new Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Some people LOVE creating different flavor combinations while others are like, “Hey! Just leave it alone or add some strawberries. That’s it!!”

This great dessert is pretty versatile. 

Add a few different toppings to fulfill the tastes of whomever you’ve made this for. Some people like chocolate drizzle, others strawberries or cherries, and even still others like caramel sauce. 

It’s all about personal taste, really. So now I’m wondering about technique. Is that what makes cheesecake delicious?

What techniques make cheesecake delicious?

There’s the discussion of “to water bath or not to water bath.” This supposedly will keep your cheesecake from cracking. Living in Colorado, we’ve got high altitude and dry air, so this is a must. 

Then the egg piece makes a big return to the scene. Don’t over-mix the batter and save the eggs for last! This is essentially a custard after all...

Now did my son do ANY of this???

I don’t think so. But, I was reminded by a friend that kids don’t tend to take their time in the kitchen and maybe he didn’t over mix??

My bruised ego had to take a backseat to these thoughts when my mouth began watering and my tastebuds were floating on heavenly clouds.

After eating his cheesecake I decided this is how you describe cheesecake: 

• The graham cracker crust makes you feel like a toddler again. A content child gripping the graham cracker in one hand and fat crayons in the other, with an “I-could-care-less-about-the-lines” attitude and giggling the entire time.

• Creamcheese and sugar remind the taste buds of dipping fresh-from-the-backyard summer strawberries in sweet cream. The warm day, the pleasure of getting them before the squirrels...Mmmmm, yup!!

• Light, airy, sweetness that lasts...You don’t even need a big bite! A nibble is enough to make you close your eyes, take a deep breath, and savor the moment. Who needs meditation?!

• The perfect balance of sweet and savory to delight all of the senses, especially if you have a fruit topping. It’s not like buttercream frosting that makes your stomach tighten up and your tastebuds recoil after too much. This gives you lasting enjoyment without overloading your body (well, that’s what I tell myself!).

If anyone tells you indulging in something that brings back the joy of childhood and immediately gives you the benefits of meditation isn’t healthy, then they don’t know what it means to be HEALTHY.

I always ask my featured participant in the Women in Business blogs about an indulgence that they may have. Every one of them has mentioned some food that they give way to. 

There’s nothing wrong with that, and when your kid can create a sumptuous experience for the whole family to enjoy, the memories of this have the ability to overpower any guilt created by the part of you that “knows better.”

Go! I say! Go, and enjoy your food! 

Enjoy your family and the creations that happen in the kitchen together!! Go!

 Creating is LIFE! So, GO!!

 Live fully and share your creations with me!!! 

Here’s a picture of the cheesecake that put my son in charge of that dessert from here on out. And check back next month for the next celebration in living that we’re creating in my kitchen!

Cheers!

~Kim

Check out my Shrimp & Grits article from February. Where we get into a savory recipe and research the history of grits in the South. It was a fun article to create and eat when I finished photographing it.

This peek into Kim’s life was brought to you by Emily Kamala. Emily is a freelance writer who loves to share stories, write blogs, and experience life so fully she has to bring it to life on the page. If you’re interested in reading more of her work, you can visit: ConsciousLivingLLC.com

Kim Morgan has brought her passion for connecting and telling stories through photography to life. Her ability to put you and your family at ease is so palpable you don’t even realize she’s behind the camera getting those precious moments for you to carry with you many years later. She lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and dog, where they enjoy exploring the mountains and laughing at every opportunity.  Her website is KWDesignsPhotography.com to see her amazing work and set up your session!