Saturday, April 9, 2011

Luscious Lime Cheesecake


I figured it was high time that I satisfied your craving for some Paula Deen recipes. I've got another Paula recipe on my blog, Mama's Pound Cake, that is a definite winner so check that one out if you haven't. I made this cheesecake years ago and remembered it fondly. As the weather warms, I start craving cool, creamy desserts. Plus, my husband loves cheesecake. This recipe came to mind because it satisfies both of those cravings: a cool, creamy cheesecake. This is the perfect dessert to finish off a nice steak dinner. This is from Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, 1998.

Luscious Lime Cheesecake

One 18-1/4 oz. package yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp. grated lime zest
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 8-oz. container Cool Whip
Lime slices, for garnish

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Reserve 1/4 cup dry cake mix. In large bowl, combine remaining cake mix, one egg, and oil. Mix well (mixture will be crumbly). Press evenly in bottom and 1-1/2 inches up sides of greased 13x9-inch pan. In same bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add remaining eggs and reserved cake mix and beat one minute at medium speed. Stir in lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla. Pour into prepared crust. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until center is firm. Cool to room temperature. Chill thoroughly. Spread Cool Whip over top. Cut into squares to serve. Garnish with lime slices.

This was my first Paula Deen cookbook. I got it back in the day before she became famous on the Food Network. She was just a local restaurant owner back then. Because I live near and worked in Savannah for years, I've been fortunate enough to visit the restaurant a few times over the years. Since she became famous, the restaurant has expanded and is quite the tourist magnet. I don't like to fight the crowds so I settle for cooking her recipes at home. But, if you ever do come to Savannah, make sure you plan an evening to visit the restaurant. It's quite an experience. And, pick up this cookbook while you're there. Mine is well-worn (if you look closely, you'll see the cracked spine) and well-loved. 


First, I do like recipes that start off with a cake mix. I'm sure you're familiar with Paula's Gooey Butter Cakes. They require a cake mix, too. My favorite cake mix is Duncan Hines Butter Golden. I don't mess around with the pudding in the mix cake mixes. There's just a gooey texture to them that I don't like. But, I'm sure that wouldn't affect this recipe if you do have a pudding in the mix cake mix. So use it if you have it.


Set aside half of a cup of the cake mix to use in the batter later.


Put the rest of the cake mix along with the oil and one egg in a large mixing bowl. I mixed together just a little with the mixer until the mixture was crumbly.


I guess this is really crumbly. But, it worked. I dumped it in a greased 13x9-inch dish and pressed it up the sides and along the bottom.



I actually worked the sides up first, then finished the bottom.




One great thing about Paula is that she doesn't seem to like to use a lot of bowls. Just use the crust bowl to make the batter. Don't worry about washing the bowl. Blend the cream cheese until smooth.


 How can you go wrong with this ingredient?


I think this is where the word "luscious" comes from in the title.



Add the remaining eggs and reserved cake mix.



Finally, stir in the lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla.


Spread into the prepared crust and bake at 300 degrees for 40-45 minutes. I cooked mine for exactly 40 minutes. I have the tendency to overbake cheesecakes because I'm not convinced that they're done. I followed the directions this time and everything turned out well.


OK, I guess I should have taken a photo of the crack that formed in the middle as it cooled. It was to be expected with my cheesecake-making experiences. I just covered it up with Cool Whip and no one was the wiser.


I really enjoyed this crust so much more than a graham cracker crust. It wasn't crumbly at all. The squares came out nicely. I think you could also use the same recipe and substitute lemon juice/zest or orange juice/zest to change up the flavors if you're not a fan of lime. Now, I can't wait for dinner so that I can justify eating this lovely dessert.

Enjoy!!!

24 comments:

  1. That looks delicious. I'm the only one who likes cheesecake but I bet that I could easily cut this in half using a Jiffy cake mix. That way it wouldn't go to waste.

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  2. Micha- If you don't try it with Jiffy, you could always make the full recipe in two smaller dishes and freeze one without the cool whip. Then, you can pull it out later when you get a craving. I would line the pan with foil before baking that way you can lift out the entire cheesecake easily and wrap in foil for freezing.

    I just gave my parents a big piece. As much as we like it, it's hard for the two of us to eat it all. My kids don't care for anything that's not brownies.

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  3. How yummy! Thanks for visiting my UBP post. I'm following you back!

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  4. Oh this just sounds simply divine. All those layers, yum!

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  5. I think it's wonderful that you knew Paula's restaurant and recipes before they were really famous. My husband was walking by the computer screen, saw the first photo and title, and he instantly requested that I bake one. This combines two of his favorites: Key lime/lemon meringue pie, and cheesecake of any kind. It will be a big hit. Thank you for sharing this recipe and linking it to Joy of Desserts. :-)

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  6. Thanks Joy. If you have the ability to make meringue, which I don't, I'm sure you could put some on top of this cheesecake. But, even with Cool Whip, it's delicious.

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  7. Well this looks delicious! So glad I found your blog linked over at Lark's Country Heart. I can't wait to try this recipe, as well as your smothered shrimp bake and strawberry cream pie, just for starters! I am your newest follower :)

    Check out my blog and follow back if you like!

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com

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  8. Oh please come back tomorrow and link this up to "Made it on Monday".

    I have this cook book as well and isnt this great! Loved it!

    http://larkscountryheart.blogspot.com

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  9. Lime cheesecake??? What could be better! That sounds delicious, and I'll admit I have a weakness for cheesecake. Lime sounds like such a refreshing taste!

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  10. Kim,
    I am so glad you linked up to "Made it on Monday"

    and with such a GREAT recipe.

    Anything with Cream Cheese makes my HAPPY! :)

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  11. Thanks Lark, I feel the same way about cream cheese. And, throw some Cool Whip on it to make it ever better.

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  12. I guess I belong here - I am definitely a Big Time cream cheese fan too! I think I've seen Paula make this one her show, and it sounds so refreshing. Believe I'll have to make it soon - thanks. I found you at Lark's MIOM...

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  13. That would be a big hit in my house. We love cheese cake and I love Paula! Your dessert looks fabulous:)

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  14. Thanks! I hope you'll try it at your house. It's really easy and delicious.

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  15. Shhh...it's a secret!

    YOU made my TOP 3 picks on "Made it on Monday"!

    YIPEE! It will be posted at midnight.

    *Don't forget your "I've been featured Button"

    Have a great weekend!

    http://larkscountryheart.blogspot.com/

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  16. Wow! Thanks Lark! I've got your button up and running on my side bar! Glad to have so many visitors from Lark's Country Heart!!

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  17. This looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing with So Sweet Sundays! :)

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  18. That just looks fantastic. I love lime anything. canot wait to try this.

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  19. Looks like a wonderful Spring Cake!

    We'd love to invite you to come on by and link it up, if you wish to THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS "Easter Cookies & Treats"

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-25.html

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  20. wow, this sounds wonderful!! what a great spring or summer dessert!

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  21. My daughter is a huge lime lover--I must make this for her!

    Reference to Paula Deen's pound cake recipe ... Not sure if it's the same recipe or not, but I made her "Grandmother Paula's Sour Cream Pound Cake" 2 weeks ago and it was fabulous!!

    It can be found here: www.food network.com/recipes/Paula-deen/grandmother-pauls-sour-cream-pound-cake-recipe/index.html

    Note: although it says"pauls" vs. Paula in the web address, it still takes you to the recipe...this is how it was posted by food network. (:

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  22. Ohhhh, this sounds heavenly. I love that they are bars, you can feed more people that way!

    Thanks for linking up with Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you again this week.

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  23. Candie-I've never made that particular Paula pound cake. I've done her "Mama's Pound Cake" and it's excellent. I need to try her grandmother's pound cake, too. I think it may have sour cream in it if I remember correctly.

    Thanks Allison. I need to start brainstorming for Friday.

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  24. I never had lime cheesecake before, I hope I get it right. Thank you for the recipe.

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