The Official Parenting Cheesecake Recipe

Whoever writes all those fancy cookbooks has never been a parent. To begin with, the pages are never spill-proof, almost guaranteeing that somewhere in the middle of mixing ingredients, a spill will cover the remaining two ingredients listed. This means that parents must learn to improvise.

Some would suggest that the very thrill of cooking is experimentation. So what's the big difference between oregano and cayenne pepper, anyway?

Then there are all those "quick" recipes to "serve your family" gracing the pages of women's magazines. NO recipe is quick with Little Helper's assistance.

For the benefit of parents everywhere, I have taken my favorite cheesecake recipe and translated it into parentease. The non-parent version is available in Cooking By The Book -- a free bonus I offer with every purchase of The Get Happy Workbook at http://thehappyguy.com/happiness-workbook.html .

Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake (Parent Version)

Mix one cup of ginger snap cookie crumbs and one tablespoon of olive oil. Add more cookie crumbs to make up for the ones that disappeared about the same time your Little Helper walked into the kitchen.

Press the crumby oil mixture ... "Sorry, Little Helper distracted me." Press the oily crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan, and up around the edges about one inch. Put it in the refrigerator to cool ? best to slip it in safely behind the broccoli and that thing that's been turning blue for three weeks in case Little Helper gets inspired

Soften three bricks of cream cheese, ideally in the microwave. If you can't separate the cheese from Little Helper's hands, let her keep doing what she's doing until the cheese is good and soft. Cream the cheese with one and a half cups of pureed pumpkin, three large eggs, two tablespoons of cream, and one cup of brown sugar. Keep mixing until creamy.

Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you are fortunate enough to have help at this stage, you have three options:

  • Rename it " Harvest Pumpkin and Vanilla Cheesecake".

  • Try scooping out the extra cup of vanilla Little Helper poured in for you.

  • Start over.

    You will also need to add a tablespoon of cinnamon. If Little Helper is in a generous mood, don't worry. You still have three options:

  • Rename it " Harvest Pumpkin and Cinnamon Cheesecake".

  • Try scooping out the extra pile of cinnamon Little Helper poured in for you.

  • Bang your head against the counter and start over.

    There is also a tablespoon of ground ginger to add. Sorry about that. Don't worry, you still have three options...again:

  • Rename it " Harvest Pumpkin and Ginger Cheesecake".

  • Scoop out as best you can the extra heap of ginger Little Helper added for you.

  • Bang your head twice on the counter and start over.

    I almost hate to mention this, but you'll need to add a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. And a half teaspoon of salt. And a half teaspoon of allspice. Go ahead and bang your head some more if it makes you feel better.

    Fortunately, there is a parental failsafe. It is sort of like a "get out of jail free card". Look in the bowl. Observe the quantity of creamy things. Observe the quantity of spicy things.

    If the quantity of creamy things is even slightly greater than the quantity of spicy things, keep going and pretend you didn't have any help. Maybe nobody will notice. If the quantity of spicy things is greater than the quantity of creamy things, open another can of pureed pumpkin. Keep adding cans of pureed pumpkin until creamy things are greater than spicy things -- or until your grocer runs out of cans.

    Pour the filling into the crust. Note, if you had to add too many cans of pureed pumpkin, this could get messy. I recommend hip-waders...especially for Little Helper.

    Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 minutes or until the top is slightly brown and almost as cracked as your head and the counter. Do NOT let Little Helper eat the cake while it is still in the oven.

    Let it air cool in a safe place -- like at a neighbor's house -- then refrigerate overnight

    Just before serving, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans. Oops. I just wrote that last line in non-parentease. It should read: "Now that the whipped cream is polished off, shake the remaining sprinkles on the cake. Unless Little Helper ate them, too.

    Now you can sit down and enjoy your Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake (Parent Version). Oh yes, don't forget to laminate this page to avoid more impromptu experimentation in the future.

    About The Author

    The author is David Leonhardt. Sign up for his weekly satire column up at http://TheHappyGuy.com/positive-thinking-free-ezine.html or read more columns at http://TheHappyGuy.com

    info@thehappyguy.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Apples of Love

    If the Spanish conquistadors had known what they were onto... Read More

    What Wise Guys Eat

    When I lived in the North End of Boston, in... Read More

    My Mothers Recipe Box

    Remember the days when cookbooks weren't so readily available, and... Read More

    Juniors Cheesecake

    Juniors cheesecake restaurant was founded in 1950 by Harry Rosen,... Read More

    All-Wheat Superb Rolls

    Note: The stone ground whole-wheat flour adds only 1.3 Teasps... Read More

    How to Bake: Easy Sourdough Bread

    A customer emailed us and said that her mother loved... Read More

    Easy Summer Salads, Lighter Foods For A Brighter Summer

    Easy summer salads are the way to go, now that... Read More

    How to Bake Quick Bread: Apricot-Orange Nut

    We love moist, fruity quick breads--and this is one of... Read More

    Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipes

    What makes great homemade BBQ sauce recipes? Well, it could... Read More

    Staight Talk from a Comfort Foodie: World Peace Through Vegetarianism

    I became a vegetarian in the early 80's. The Czech... Read More

    Cucumbers with Yogurt & Mint

    Almost every day I eat with my energy in mind,... Read More

    African Bean Soup

    Yoruba ethnic group from the Southwestern part of Nigeria call... Read More

    Summer Basil Pasta Salad

    With the long hot days of summer, you will find... Read More

    Cucumber & Pork Soup

    Due to the fact that cucumber is rich in all... Read More

    Chili Recipe - A Red Chili Nightmare!

    This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it... Read More

    Rib-Eye Steak with Mushrooms and Bleu Cheese

    This is a mouth watering steak. Every time I serve... Read More

    Shake Things Up With Fun Milkshakes

    Milkshakes have been around since the old days of drugstore... Read More

    Use Up Those Leftovers!

    Managing leftovers is a challenge we all face! Throwing food... Read More

    Texas Pecan Treats

    Come August, there is nowhere I'd rather NOT be than... Read More

    Four Easy Zucchini Bread Recipes

    Tired of the same old zucchini bread recipe and want... Read More

    Recipe: Chocolate Modeling Clay

    Ingredients:6 oz. chocolate chips5 teaspoons corn syrup1 gallon size zip-top... Read More

    Making Pancake Batter the Night Before (with Recipe)

    Mornings are hectic. If you make your pancake batter the... Read More

    Cool Snacks for a Hot Summer

    Beat the heat with these cool summer treats!Mouse PopsiclesIt's not... Read More

    Chicken Mushroom Marsala ? Easy and Elegant for the Amateur Gourmet

    If you are having company and want to make something... Read More

    Easy Holiday Quick Bread Recipes

    Quick breads are a quick, easy accompaniment to any holiday... Read More

    Fish Recipes

    These recipes are wonderful and they are old family recpies.... Read More

    Vegetarian Gourmet----Meatless Makeovers

    Three years ago I decided to go "meatless." It wasn't... Read More

    Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch (in 2 hours or less!)

    If I've heard it once, I've heard it a dozen... Read More

    Mrs. Butters? Secret Key Lime Pie Recipe

    "Frozen Key Lime Pie recipe?" Fern Butters asked. "Child, I'll... Read More

    A Healthy Summertime Snack For Your Kids

    Oh, for the lazy days of Summer.... As If!Nowadays we... Read More

    Spanish Food - How To Prepare Boquerones

    Whilst on your travels in Spain and pausing to take... Read More

    Chocolate Tasting Techniques

    First of all start with an empty stomach. This has... Read More

    Spinach Salad with Mango and Papaya

    This is a great summer salad, leaving you refreshed even... Read More