I have a nasty confession. But before we go there let’s talk food. See it below, white chocolate cheesecake with a boozy raspberry sauce—worth it. Make it. Top as you like, but I thought mixed berries were appropriate with 4th of July around the corner. Next time I’ll probably give this a caloric overhaul with chopped candy and brownies – predictable, I know.
Alright confession time, but backstory first. This past weekend I had to submit a headshot for something coming up. If you know me, than you know I hate having my picture taken—if you don’t know me—I hate having my picture taken. And if you are Matt than you hate pressing the shutter button over and over again while I try to work through an acceptable one.
So after a painful session of smiling, not smiling, face turn, face front on, chin tucked, chin up, head tilt, head down – I ended up with a batch of crossed-eyed awfulness. Honestly, I think I’d rather go bathing suit shopping. At least if the suit is ill-fitting I can just throw a cover up over myself and be at ease.
But what do you do when you’re dissatisfied with the likeliness of yourself? You give it the best cover up a healing Photoshop brush can give you. That’s right, I confess—I gave myself a little airbrushing around the eyes to soften the wrinkles.
Is that awful or what? I don’t know. It might be—but then again I also wear a push-up bra, isn’t that almost the same thing? Yes, I just wrote that. I guess now is a good time to end this post, before I go confessing more than I should.
White Chocolate Cheesecake with Mixed Berries
Recipe from Better Homes and Garden
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup crushed shortbread cookies (about 4 oz.)
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped slivered almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 16 ounce white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, melted and cooled
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup dairy sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 eggs
- Triple Raspberry Sauce
- 10 -12 ounce jar seedless raspberry preserves
- 1 cup fresh red raspberries or frozen red raspberries
- 1 - 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
I have to agree I hate photos, let alone head shots. You should see my driver’s licence pictures-Horrid can not describe it. Once I have to fake smile, my face starts to twitch;every single time….
Air brushing is normal now, even people taking selfies use a white card… I love this pile of fresh berries; simple but affective
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I am sure your pics turned out beautifully but yes, being hyper-critical and harsh is the only way I can be when it comes to pics of myself. I can relate.
This cheesecake is gorgeous. I love white chocolate and so this is right up my alley!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
I can’t stand taking pictures of myself either! I finally got headshots done a couple weeks back but it was brutal. There’s nothing more awkward than standing in front of a camera by yourself with a fake smile. Ugh. I’m sure you photos were great though.
And this cheesecake – gorgeous! They’d be so perfect for July 4th, or any day of the week.
Beth @ Hungry Happenings says
I’m with you! We have scrapbooks full of pictures, but I hardly pop up in any of them. My headshot on my blog is now over 10 years old. Some day I’ll be brave enough to sit and have someone snap hundreds of shots of me, so that I can choose one to airbrush:)
Your cheesecake looks amazing and just calorie laden enough.
steph@stephsbitebybite says
Bathing suit shopping over self portraits…I don’t know, that’s a tough one! What’s not a tough one is finishing this cheesecake. I think I could do it in one sitting!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This cake is absolutely stunning! Love everything about it AND it’s perfect for summer!
Tieghan says
Gorgeous! This is one of the prettiest cheesecakes I have ever seen! Wow!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
lol…. you’re the best (and so is this cheesecake)
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Taking headshots terrify me… Don’t like those, avoid them. For what it’s worth, I love your Pinterest profile pic! And this cheesecake! White chocolate and berries sound perfect!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
LOL a little Photoshop nip and tuck is always acceptable!
Loving these cheesecake, especially the raspberry sauce. Gorgeous!
Sukaina says
I know the feeling Naomi. Funny but I have to do the same this week. I’m so dreading it 🙁 Lovely recipe as always and the colours are certainly appropriate for 4th July.
Joanne says
I’m totally a push-up bra wearer as well! Ain’t no shame in that!!
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
This is perfect for summer! Can’t wait for berries up here.
I’m SO overdue for a head shot. But it is Awkward with a capital A. I hear you.
Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion says
I hate having my picture taken too!!! I have never been successful at cheese cake…. all 2 x I tried… 3rd times a charm?
Kevin (Closet Cooking) says
Now that is one amazing looking cheesecake! Cheesecake has to be one of my favourite desserts and among them white chocolate is the best! Add some fresh summer berries and I am in dessert heaven! 🙂
Nora @ Buttercream Fanatic says
This cake looks gorgeous, as, I’m sure, do your new headshots! But a little bit of photoshopping never hurt anyone 😉
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
What a gorgeous cheesecake!! I love the white chocolate addition 🙂
Julie @ Table for Two says
I hate headshots too! I feel so goofy in them and I don’t feel like I act like myself. I’d rather someone take a candid one of me haha – this cheesecake looks so stunning. I love the lush colors and the vibrant feel this cake gives!
Erika says
You are too funny. And also gorgeous, from the few photos I’ve seen of you?! I would take one of your headshots any day!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Gorgeous cheesecake, Naomi! I agree with Laura (Tutti Dolci) above…a little Photoshop nip and tuck is always acceptable! Celebrities have it done all…the…time. xo
Richard says
Arrrrg I not ugly just not photogenic. I also dread my pictures taken, more so when a friend posts them on Facebook. 🙁
Oh and a little bit of airbrush to help a little is a good thing. How many times have guys sucked in their beer gut when a cute girl walks by.
Oh great recipe, my Wife loves fresh raspberry’s and anything with shortbread cookie 🙂
Marta PG says
First of all, we all wear push-up bras (big deal). So don’t worry about that nor about the photos either; Think about it as if you had put a bit more make up on.
Secondly, thanks for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it, specially the mixture of cookies and almonds for the crust, I usually bake cheesecakes and the cookie part is my favourite, but that’s the only thing I use (cookies and butter). And what about combining it with nuts instead of almonds…do you think that would make a good blend?
Thanks again and congrats on the blog (it’s amazing):-)
Maria says
Wow! that is one gorgeous cheesecake!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Haha, I am all too familiar with the take-hundreds-of-photos-until-you-get-the-right-one thing. And I always photoshop a thing or two on photos of myself. Don’t worry, you are not alone!
PS. I want a slice of this cake. Right now.
CarrieLovesKeith says
This cheesecake looks absolutely amazing. I did want to double-check, though. Only 2 oz. cream cheese? Really? Was that supposed to be 2 packages of cream cheese? Just checking so I can go off and make this immediately! 🙂
ashley - baker by nature says
Pushup bras and photoshop all the way home, girl!!! I’m so on the same team 🙂 And holy #$%^ – This cheesecake is bananas! I need it.
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Oooh, boozy raspberry sauce, I LOVE that. Confession, I airbrush some of my photos too. Whatevs no one can tell!
Jenny Flake says
LOVE the colors! Now I want cheesecake at 10pm 🙂
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
I LOVE cheesecake!! Yours looks divine!
marla says
Oh girl….this cheesecake is so vibrant and beautiful!!
nessa says
Need this in my life!
Siunna says
Hi! Actually I saw this recipe the day you first posted it and it looked so incredible that I decided to make it ASAP. However, I discovered that it called for 2 ounces, NOT 2 8-oz packages, and I checked with the original recipe, which said the same thing. Today I noticed that you corrected the 2 ounces to 2 8-oz packages but the original recipe still says 2 ounces…I’m assuming that BHG hasn’t corrected the typo yet! This looks sinfully delicious!!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I hear you, I have never once liked being in front of the camera. I’m happy staying behind it thank you.
Pullahiiri says
This looks amazing and delicious! I just made my milk chocolate cheesecake. White chocolate cheesecake might be my next one 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk says
Amazing looking cheescake! With or without any photoshopping, the taste has to be undeliably delicious. Great pics!
vanillasugarblog says
I hate to sound like everyone else, but that photo is just stunning!
I didn’t read anything, I only stared at the photos. lol
sorry
Gourmet Creations says
Looks fabulous!
Nanette says
Girrrrrrrl I feel ya. Was this for Brit + Co? I still have yet to do the same…
Chichi says
This cheesecake looks amazing