Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my quarter century birthday! Before you ask any questions let me answer them. No, I don't feel any older. Yes, I made my own birthday cake. No, it wasn't a layer cake. And yes, it had alcohol in it. Did I cover everything? Great!

I started my hatch day by participating in a 5k that just happened to go past my apartment (I was sorely tempted to just head back to bed when I ran by, but that was because I was just sore). I then purchased a fun purse from Target, visited my favorite used book store, and accompanied my sister to her hair appointment. My mom grilled some BBQ chicken and made baked potatoes, corn, and broccoli with cheese sauce. But none of that is why you're here. You're here for this killer recipe for the cheesecake I made. What do you get when you add chocolate and my favorite stout beer? Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake!!! I also served mine some Irish cream whipped cream (I was a little too liberal with the Bailey's so mine didn't get as stiff as I would have liked, but it still tasted good).

I know what you must be thinking. "Beer? In cheesecake? Are you crazy?!?" Only slightly mad, but that's neither here nor there. I was sitting at my desk at work on Friday thinking that my mom probably wouldn't think about making a cake since she was still trying to figure out what to make for dinner. So I sat wondering what I'd really want for my cake when I remembered this cheesecake that I had made with less than satisfactory results. "I bet I could make it better this time," I thought to myself. S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!! I was so right. There wasn't a crack on that bad boy, and it tasted so decadent and luscious. You don't really taste the beer, it's just there to add another level to the flavor. I definitely suggest using the best chocolate that you can find (unfortunately, I bought mine at Wal Mart, but Ghiradelli is a tasty alternative to some of the cheaper varieties around). Here's my gift to you. Enjoy!

Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake

Recipe from All Recipes, adapted by me

1 cup crushed chocolate cookies (I used chocolate Teddy Grahams)
1/4 cup butter, softened (I melted mine instead of just using softened)
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 pound semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup sour cream
1 pinch salt
3/4 cup Irish stout beer (e.g. Guinness®)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used homemade vanilla from the stash I made over the summer)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine the crushed cookies, butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and cocoa in a small bowl; mix; press into the bottom of a 9-in springform pan.
2. Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer set to low speed until smooth. While beating, slowly add 1 cup sugar and then the eggs, one at a time. Continue beating until smooth.
3. Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave until the chocolate is completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Beat the chocolate into the cream cheese mixture. Add the sour cream, salt, beer, and vanilla; blend until smooth. Pour the mixture over the crust. Place the pan into a large, deep baking dish. Fill the dish with water to cover the bottom half of the springform pan (be sure to cover the bottom and sides of the springform with tinfoil to keep the water out).
4. Bake the cheesecake in the water bath in the preheated oven for 45 minutes; turn oven off; leave the cheesecake in the oven with oven door slightly ajar another 45 minutes; remove from oven. Run a knife along the edge of the cheesecake to loosen from pan. Chill in refrigerator at least 4 hours.