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It’s been a wild night tonight. Not in a crazy, party way – but in a windy, rainy, stormy sense. We were half way through tea when the lights went out.
We finished eating by the light of candles. And as the flames flickered, the children worked out just how much we rely on electricity for our evening routine. Dinner was cooked, so that was ok – we could eat. But no power meant no lights, no heating, no showers… even the phone doesn’t work when the power is out. Well, the modern phone doesn’t work – sometimes the old technology is best. And explaining how to use an old-fashioned phone to a modern-day teenager was fun!
Earlier in the day I’d made some seasonally inspired cheesecakes, leaving them chilling in the fridge… which was no longer working, but still keeping things cool. Flavoured with cranberries, ginger and lemon, they were maybe not perfect for a winter’s evening when the heating was off, but still pretty good. And very easy to make… no baking involved. They are light, with a creamy, lemony topping and good crunchy base. This recipe is heavily based on one I blogged earlier this year. I’ve adapted the measurements to fit four 31/2” (9cm) tart tins – individual cheesecakes. And given the cheesecake topping a Christmassy feel by adding cranberries in place of the rhubarb and ginger. Apart from that, it’s all pretty much the same. I used hot, homemade elderberry cordial to soak the dried cranberries, but you could use your favourite cordial or even some warmed port…
Oh, and the power – it came back on after a couple of hours. Given the rough weather, it was really impressive how quickly the power company fixed things.
Cranberry & lemon cheesecake
50g dried, sweetened cranberries
¼ cup strong, hot elderberry cordial
105g ginger biscuits
50g unsalted butter
150ml double cream
150g cream cheese
30g caster sugar
zest and juice of ½ a lemon
Soak the cranberries in the hot cordial for 30 minutes or more.
While the cranberries are soaking, melt the butter over a low heat. Crush the ginger biscuits to make crumbs, then pour in the melted butter and mix thoroughly. Grease four 31/2” (9cm) tart tins, then divide the biscuit mixture between them. Spread the mixture over the base of each tin and flatten with the back of a spoon. Put the tins in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
Meantime, pour the cream into a large mixing bowl and whisk it until it is good and thick and standing in peaks. In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest and juice until the mixture is smooth. Add this mixture to the whipped cream, along with the drained cranberries. Fold everything together until it is all evenly combined.
Take the cheesecake bases from the fridge and divide the topping between the four tins. Smooth the cheese mixture over the bases. Return the cheesecakes to the fridge and chill for a couple of hours before serving… candlelight is optional, but recommended.
suzanne said:
It’s eye opening losing power, you realize just how dependent you are. I know when it happened to me I was certainly thankful when the power came back on, The cheesecake sounds wonderful!
thegardendeli said:
You’re right – it’s quite a shock to realise that electricity powers so much of our lives. We were lucky to get the power back after only a couple of hours, some homes were left without for much longer.
CJ said:
Glad the power came back on fairly soon, and I hope you didn’t suffer too much storm damage. The cheesecakes sound utterly delicious, I’m definitely adding cheesecake to my List, it’s one of my very favourite desserts. I love the idea of adding soaked cranberries.
thegardendeli said:
It was quite a storm, but the garden seems to have survived pretty well. We did discover a new leak in the roof when the rain was coming down hard though!
Anne @ Life in Mud Spattered Boots said:
Delicious looking cheesecake. Just the thing for after Christmas when the cranberries’ goodness completely cancels out the double cream and cream cheese, making it a healthy festive pudding.
thegardendeli said:
Thanks Anne – I’m really pleased to hear that by adding cranberries, cheesecake can be turned into a health food!
Annjenny said:
A delicious sounding recipe and I love cranberries ( and candle light ) – so cosy and festive!
thegardendeli said:
Cosy and festive is just what’s needed on these dark and stormy nights!
Food and Forage Hebrides said:
Lovely refreshing recipe, prefect for Christmas and power cuts. We have had our fair share too, of cuts and storms, almost perpetual storms for 2 weeks that make me fearful every time I use the oven as I expect a power cut at any second. Still no phone, off for 2 weeks now. Hope you storms have passed, take care!
thegardendeli said:
You must be seeing the worst of the storms up there – hope you’re managing to keep warm and well fed despite the power cuts.
Cathy said:
Sounds delicious Sarah. Good you had something tasty on hand that occupied you during the power cut! We haven’t had a power cut for some time, but we have some great oil lamps making it possible to read at least. 😉
thegardendeli said:
Thanks Cathy! Oil lamps sound like a good idea to have around – just in case. My daughter tried reading by candlelight during the power cut, but soon gave up!
Charlie@Seattle Trekker said:
I have my grandmothers hand crank that hung on her wall in the farm house for years. It was one ring for her closest neighbor and she was two rings. There is no way to explain that to anyone who did not have that experience. It is just too foreign, still I really love it, it is such a connection to the past..
thegardendeli said:
It sounds like you have a lovely piece of family history there… and a story to go with it, which makes it even more special.
glutsandgluttony said:
How festive, even if it wasn’t candlelit by choice!
thegardendeli said:
With the fire and candles lit it was lovely and peaceful – no TV or radio to distract us… we even all sat in one room and talked for a while – normally that only happens at mealtimes!
laura_howtocook said:
I agree that having a lack of electricity does force us all to chat and gather together which often doesn’t happen at this busy time of the year. Love your take on a cheesecake, so clever. Happy Christmas to you!
thegardendeli said:
Thanks Laura! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and are all looking forward to a great new year.
Karen said:
I enjoy individual desserts like this and I’m sure it was well received while you were waiting for the power to return. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
thegardendeli said:
Thank you Karen – and all the best to you for a fabulous holiday!
Promenade Claire said:
I hope you survived the storms, its amazing how much is powered by electricity isn’t it! We took a battering, but are still standing, well everything except the greenhouse!! Oh well, things can get fixed. Wishing you and your family a super New Year x
thegardendeli said:
Thanks Claire! I hope your greenhouse is salvageable and that there weren’t any precious plants inside it when the storm hit.