Appetizer Palooza! Homemade Cheesecake, Sausage Balls and Honey Cheese Wontons #recipe #appetizer

Published 2024-02-06

Homemade Cheesecake

For the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (10 crackers)
1 tablespoon sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 whole eggs, at room temperature
2 egg yolks, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

* Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
* To make the crust, combine the graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter until moistened. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan and about 1-inch up the sides. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
* Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
* To make the filling, cream the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs and egg yolks, 2 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.
* Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven temperature down to 225 degrees F and bake for another 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the oven off and open the door wide. The cake will not be completely set in the center. Allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door open for 30 minutes. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature for another 2 to 3 hours, until completely cooled. Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
* Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving.

Sausage Balls
1 cup baking mix
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1lb pork sausage

Combine ingredients in a bowl. I find using my hands to be the best tool. Shape into one inch balls. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Honey Cheese Wontons
8oz softened cream cheese
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp onion powder
Wonton Wrappers

Combine everything but the wontons in a bowl. Place a tsp of filling in the center of wontons. Wet the edges with your fingers and a little bit of water. Fold into a triangle and press closed. Repeat until til all your filling is used.

Heat oil to 350. Fry a few at a time til lightly golden. If wontons immediately turn too dark, your oil is too hot. Drain on paper towels.