So...they can't all be gems. I promised a couple of pressure cooker cheesecakes for a friend's dinner party...which is tonight. I'm rushing around, trying to get them cooking before I have to take my daughter to an 8AM band ensemble tryout. (Not enough coffee - that's it! That's my excuse.) They have to rest in the refrigerator, the longer the better, so I want them done as soon as I get home.
I make a double batch of cheesecake batter, split it into two springform pans, and wrap both in foil. One goes in Instant Pot #1, I lock the lid, and set it for 35 minutes. I lower the other one in my second Instant Pot...and rush off, without actually starting the pressure cooker.
I didn't even close the lid - I just walked out the door. That way it was sitting there, lid open, so I can see it when I come 2 hours later.
Now, am I going to let this stop me? No, of course not. I don't even check it - I just lock the lid and start up the pressure cooker. It'll be fine...everything's fine.
When it finishes, I unlock the lid. The foil cover is puffed up - think Jiffy-Pop Popcorn - and there are small bits of scrambled egg in the water. I lift the hot pan out of my Instant Pot, peel back the foil, and...
Yikes. I think the eggs separated and floated to the top of the cheesecake while it sat. I accidentally made egg soufflé...or scrambled eggs on cream cheese.
So, I run to the store and buy more cream cheese for a second cheesecake...which comes out fine. Did I throw this disaster out? No, of course not. I've got kids! I dump a can of cherry topping on top and tell the kids it is their "special dessert" for tonight while us grownups go to our party. We'll see if they ever trust me again when we get home...
Tamra Phelps says
Listen, cheesecake is cheesecake. I don't care if it's pretty...I'd eat that cheesecake! (OK, I might pick out the egg whites, lol. And yeah, pour a can of cherry pie filling over it. But no way would I throw it out! Your kids will probably be like, "Hey, Dad, when will you make that great dessert again???" And you'll never be able to recreate it, ha!)
Eileen says
In any case, good save, Mike! We'll be looking out for the kiddos reaction.
Mike, have you made a cheesecake in a your 8 qt Instant Pot using an 8" spring form pan? How long would you cook it?
Thanks, Eileen
Mike Vrobel says
No, I haven't. I've made cheesecakes in the 8 quart Instant Pot, but I've always used my 7 inch pans. I'd guess a little longer - maybe 40 to 45 minutes instead of 35? Try it, and let me know what you find. (My experience from testing the recipes is that an undercooked cheesecake is not the end of the world - it's just soft in the middle. It doesn't look beautiful, but it tastes just fine.)
Lynn says
???? that is so funny! Bet the kids love it!
Dani says
You know, "deconstructed" anything is still big in the food world. 🙂