BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE: Boston Cream Pie Day!

Today is Boston Cream Pie Day. This pudding/cake combination is compromised of two layers of sponge cake filled with vanilla custard or crème pâtissière. The cake is topped with a chocolate glaze. I've posted several recipes for traditional Boston Cream Pie, but to celebrate this year's holiday, here's a twist on the classic Boston Cream Pie: Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake. The vanilla custard layer is replaced with cheesecake. I've tried several different recipes for Boston Cream Pie Cheesecake, but this recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens is one of my favorites. It's easy and delicious. You can always make your own yellow cake.

BOSTON CREAM PIE CHEESECAKE

Ingredients 
1 package 1-layer-size yellow cake mix  (probably using half the package--or make your own yellow cake)
2 Tbsp cooking oil
3-8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp Madagascar vanilla
3 eggs
8 ounces real dairy sour cream
3/4 cup whipping cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (use the very best chocolate)
2 Tbsp sweet butter, softened

Directions 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease the bottom of 9-inch springform pan; set aside. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, except add cooking oil. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 25 minutes.

Filling: 
In large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in sour cream. Carefully pour cream cheese mixture over cake layer.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a 2-inch area around outside edge appears set and center appears nearly set when gently shaken. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Using small sharp knife, loosen edge of cheesecake from side of pan. Cool completely (about 1 3/4 hours). Remove side of pan; transfer cheesecake to serving plate. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.

Before serving, in small saucepan, bring whipping cream to simmering. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in butter. Chill about 15 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened, stirring once. Spoon chocolate mixture onto cheesecake, spreading to cover top.

Cartoon of the Day: Pumpkin Spice

 

Cartoon of the Day: Book Club

The Curious Case of Literary Confusion: Guest Post by Andrew McAleer

As a curator of Rex Stout’s authorized biographer John McAleer’s library, I don’t always know when an interesting anecdote relating to Stout and/or Nero Wolfe might sneak up, so I make it my practice to stay on high alert. 

By way of example: 

In the early 1990s, my job placed me in close proximity to Dunham’s Used Bookshop located in Bedford, Massachusetts. I was attending law school at the time and got hooked on the Mr. Tutt legal mysteries by Arthur Train. Proprietors Mr. and Mrs. Dunham appeared the quintessential antiquarian bookshop owners. Mister, an octogenarian à la Rudy Vallée. Misses a Joan Hickson (circa Miss Marple.) 

Dunham’s Tutt supply seemed inexhaustible and I eagerly scooped up volume after volume; a collection I still cherish today. Recently, while bestowing order to my Tutt treasure, I found myself reminiscing about my Dunham days—and my father, whom had introduced me to Dunham’s in the early 1970s. The shop became one of his frequent and more successful Rex Stout hunting grounds. I can’t recall a time when he didn’t exit the shop with his arms chock-full of Rex’s literary works. Apparently, this wasn’t initially the case. Some years later, my father shared with me an amusing Dunham anecdote. 

Shortly after my father was authorized to write Rex’s biography, he went to Dunham’s and asked Mrs. Dunham if they had any Stout books. 

 “Oh plenty,” she said without hesitation.  

“Wonderful!” he replied, unable to contain his excitement. “I’ll take whatever you have in stock.” 

While waiting for Mrs. Dunham to complete his order the future Edgar Award winner patted himself on the back for his discovery and quick coup. His perceived victory was short-lived. Alas, Mrs. Dunham returned with a stack of Stout books as promised, however, they were books authored by the pioneering, world-famous gardener—Rex’s older, yet equally robust and ingenious sister—Ruth Stout! 

***

Andrew McAleer is the author of the Henry von Stray British classic mystery adventures; characters created by Edgar winner John McAleer. The latest von Stray mystery, “The Singular Case of the Bandaged Bobby” appears in Mystery Magazine (September 2024). The von Stray collection, A Casebook of Crime is forthcoming January 2025 (Level Best Books). Follow on Instagram: @mcaleermysteries

The Lincoln Lawyer, Season 3, now on Netflix!

The Lincoln Lawyer, Season 3, premieres today on Netflix. There will be 10 episodes. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo returns as Los Angeles defense attorney Mickey Haller, who handles his cases from the back seat of his Lincoln. The new season is based on The Gods of Guilt, the fifth book in Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer series.

Need a recap of the first two seasons?  Go Here: https://blavity.com/entertainment/the-lincoln-lawyer-recap. Want to rewatch? The first two seasons are on Netflix.

Cartoon of the Day: Dog Trick or Treat