My First Cheesecake Adventure: A Family Recipe for Christmas

The past three Christmas Eves with my family have been all about embracing an Italian theme, and I have to say, it’s become a tradition I look forward to every year. Each of us takes responsibility for a dish, and last year I decided to tackle dessert—a cheesecake.

To make it even more special, my grandma, lovingly known as "Grandy," passed down her grandmother Minnie’s cheesecake recipe for me to use. As someone who had never made a cheesecake before, I was both excited and a little nervous. Naturally, I turned to Google to compare Minnie’s recipe with modern versions, and I was thrilled to see that it truly stood the test of time. With confidence in hand, I headed to the store to gather the ingredients.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I didn’t have a chance to make the cheesecake the day before Christmas Eve as planned. Instead, I decided to make it three days ahead—a little untraditional, but it worked out perfectly.

The result? A dessert that not only honored my family’s Italian-themed celebration but also carried on a recipe that’s been cherished for generations. Do you have any special family recipes that have stood the test of time? Let me know—I’d love to hear your stories!