SprinkleBakes is Three! Birthday Cheesecake

Three is magic number.  Yes it is.  It’s a magic number.  –Schoolhouse Rock

What a great three years it’s been!

This past year has been so full of amazing opportunities and milestones, it’s really made me step back and evaluate things – both with this blog and in my personal life. There’s simply too much I want to do!  I want to keep creating beautiful desserts but I also want to start painting again.  I want to connect more with readers of this blog and with other bloggers. I want to spend more time with the people I love. I want my laundry pile to shrink. I want my bathroom to not look like a disaster area. I want to find two earrings that match.

See, this year has made me acutely aware of the balance I lack in a few areas of my life. My best friend calls me a professionalplate spinner. I usually have so many things going on at once that I become extremely disorganized, my attention is divided and it’s a miracle that anything gets done.  So, I’ve decided to end the madness and say goodbye to my day job.  It’s a bittersweet decision to leave a job that I’ve had for nine years (and I adore my coworkers), but it’s time.  I’m following my heart, and I’ll be blogging full time beginning in November. I’m so excited for things to come!

Let’s celebrate!

As for this cheesecake?  It’s a little no-bake flavored with vanilla bean and all gussied up with buttercream and confetti sprinkles. I wanted to give a happy surprise when the cake is sliced, so I created pastel layers. Tinting and layering cheesecake was a first for me, but I really love the effect. I’ll definitely try this again with different colors!

Birthday Cheesecake

Yield: One 6-inch cheesecake                                                            [click for printable version]


At my house birthdays = buttercream, but if you’re not crazy about the idea then you may choose to cover this cheesecake with sweetened whipped cream. You’ll find it easiest to cut partially frozen, and the remaining cake must be kept refrigerated.  

This is a small 6-inch cake, and I used three 6-inch springform pans to make the layers. It can be made in an 8-inch pan, but the layers of color will be much thinner. 

Special equipment: Three 6-inch spring-form pans. 

Line the three springform pans with a circle of parchment paper in the bottom.  Set aside

Graham crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tbsp. sugar

Pinch of salt

4 tbsp butter, melted

  1. Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour in melted butter and stir until mixture resembles wet sand. 
  2. Press crust into the bottom of one of the lined spring-form pans. Set aside.


Vanilla bean cheesecake batter:

1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup sugar

10 oz. cream cheese softened but still cold

2 tsp vanilla bean paste (vanilla extract can be used)

1 tsp powdered gelatin

1 tbsp cold water

  1. A few drops of each: red or pink liquid food coloring; blue food coloring; yellow food coloring
  2. Whip heavy cream in a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment.  When mixture begins to thicken, gradually add the sugar. Whip to stiff peaks then switch to the paddle attachment. Add in cream cheese a little at a time until well incorporated.  Beat in vanilla.
  3. Sprinkle powdered gelatin over the cold water in a small microwaveable bowl. Wait 3-5 minutes until gelatin is absorbed.  Microwave mixture for 7-10 seconds, or until gelatin is completely melted.  Let cool slightly. Fold liquid gelatin mixture into the cheesecake batter.
  4. Divide cheesecake batter evenly into three bowls. Fold food coloring into the batters creating a blue, yellow and pink batter.  Pour the blue batter over crust.  Pour the yellow batter in a 6-inch pan and shake to level. Repeat with the pink layer.  Freeze layers solid.  They will be easiest to work with when completely frozen.
  5. Remove frozen layers from freezer and press a towel warmed with hot water around the edges of the pan to help release.  Remove the spring-form collars. Transfer blue layer with crust to a cake stand or serving plate. Invert the yellow layer over the blue layer and use a knife to coax the parchment paper off the spring-form base. Peel off parchment.  Repeat with pink layer. Smooth edges with an off-set spatula. Refrigerate cheesecake while you prepare the frosting. I recommend frosting the cake while it’s still frozen/partially frozen.

Vanilla bean buttercream:

I used thick layer of buttercream on this cheesecake. You can certainly half the amount in this recipe and still have plenty.

1 cup of unsalted butter, softened

2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar – the finest you can find (usually 10x)

2 tsp. vanilla bean paste

Milk or heavy cream, optional

Confetti sprinkles

  1. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together the butter and confectioners’ sugar. Begin mixing on low speed until crumbly, and then increase to high and beat for 3 minutes.
  2. Add vanilla bean paste and beat again for another minute until light and fluffy. Beat in food coloring a little at a time until the desired color is achieved. If you find the buttercream is too stiff, you may add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is spreading consistency.
  3. Frost cheesecake with buttercream using an off-set spatula.  Pipe stars along the top edge of the cake with Wilton star tip #2D, and then pipe an undulating border around the bottom edge using the same tip. 
  4. Sprinkle borders with confetti sprinkles. Refrigerate or store in freezer.  Slices are easiest to cut when cheesecake is partially frozen.  Serve slices chilled but not frozen.  Cheesecake batter is very soft at room temperature, so be sure to keep this cake chilled!

Supplies:

KitchenAid KSM150PSPK Komen Foundation Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Pink

Wilton Spring Confetti Sprinkles, 2-Ounce

WILTON LG DROP FLOWER TIP#2D 402-2004

Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste – 4 oz.

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Bianca
Bianca
11 years ago

That cheesecake is the cutest thing I've ever seen!!! I'm a huge fan of anything chocolate…the godiva cheesecake from the cheesecake factory? omg. also oreo cheesecake is pretty awesome 🙂
bianca.x3@gmail.com
biancatang.com

Zohar
Zohar
11 years ago

My favorite cheesecake is a milk and white chocolate ring cake. You make a batch of each kind of filling and then carefully pour a small puddle of each in the center of the pan and repeat again and again until you fill the pan. The result is a cake with a ring design which also tastes great! 🙂

Moira Wright
Moira Wright
11 years ago

Recently, my best friend's mother made cheesecake for the first time, for my best friend's birthday (it's her absolute favorite) and, never having had homemade cheesecake before, it knocked my socks off. SO MUCH BETTER than prepackaged!!
Now I really want to make some cheesecake… 😀

moira.wright@msad60.org

Mmm... is for Mommy
Mmm... is for Mommy
11 years ago

I love cheesecake. A favourite is a bit hard to pick though… I love classic NY style cheesecake, but also make a Chocolate Irish Cream cheesecake that is pretty awesome as well. Mmm… boozy one it is 🙂

Kayla Bakes
Kayla Bakes
11 years ago

This cheesecake is super cute!! My favorite cheesecake is reece cup or oreo…YUMM!

kroszelle@gmail.com

GottaHaveJC
GottaHaveJC
11 years ago

I have two favorites! My mom made a super simple one with a sour cream topping! Easy peasey and so good! The other blows the top off! With a pound and a half of cream cheese, whipping cream and baking in a bain marie! Yummo but hard to make! Love your site!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Oreo cheesecake, who doesn't love Oreos?! Or going back to basics fresh strawberry cheesecake :))
Imdesmom@yahoo.com

ariel k
ariel k
11 years ago

I am all about Caramel apple cheese cake, the ooey gooey combination of cream cheese and caramel with the slightly crispy bite of a green apple is one sinful combination! I adore your Birthday Cheesecake- how cute is that! Scarletluv1018@aol.com is my email!

Patty T
Patty T
11 years ago

My favorite cheesecake is espresso cheesecake. Can't get enough of it!

Sherri B.
Sherri B.
11 years ago

I know it's old and boring to some, but I still love the mini cheesecakes done in the cupcake tins with the v. wafer in the bottom.

Jess @ Little Girl Big Appetite
Jess @ Little Girl Big Appetite
11 years ago

Your cheesecake looks so cute and whimsical! I loooove a good strawberry swirl cheesecake!

thechibichef@gmail.com

Batavia Bakers
Batavia Bakers
11 years ago

I love cheesecake bars top with blueberries or melted chocolate. Less sinful treat than eating the whole cheesecake. Lol.

Indian Khana
Indian Khana
11 years ago

The cake looks so pretty …just wow …I am not much of cheese cake pan but a mango cheese cake is always yum …

Sugarluxe Art
Sugarluxe Art
11 years ago

Heather – this looks amazing.

My absolute all-time fav and the one I will be making for my mom's big 65th birthday (on October 6th) is your cherry-vanilla cake. She's going to love it!! THANK YOU ♥

http://www.sugarluxe.com
http://www.sugarluxeblog.com

Anne D
Anne D
11 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

I LOVE simple chocolate cheesecake or a new york style one. This cheesecake you made is so pretty! such eye candy! <333

here's my email: winter.melora@gmail.com

More power to you! I loooove your blog! <333

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I love any kinda of cake, cheese, chocolate, carrot, ANy! Lol please pick me – Dinna Crow – crowmail55@yahoo.com. Thank u

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

That is the sweetest birthday cake ever!
My FAVORITE cheesecake is the pineapple upside down cheesecake….orrrrr perhaps the chocolate turtle cheesecake….orrr maybe oreo raspberry swirl??? Nom nom nom….i better get to baking! 😀

Jcolorado118@yahoo.com

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

Happy Blogiversary and to many more!

This cheesecake is so pretty! I love it.

Cheers,

Rosa

MariaRN
MariaRN
11 years ago

Talking about cheesecake and a rainy day is going to equal baking. Ive never made one, so I'm thinking traditional but fluffy,maybe lemony with a blueberry sauce.

Alexa
Alexa
11 years ago

I love any coffee/chocolate combination. mmm….

alexa.shelton@gmail.com

Karina Gomez
Karina Gomez
11 years ago

This birthday cheesecake looks soooo good!! I've never seen anything like it! Well, one of my favorite cheesecakes is actually a pumpkin spice cheesecake sold by The Cheesecake Factory. I wait every year for it to be in season! I love everything pumpkin and spice! 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Happy Blog Birthday! Oh my GOODNESS that cheesecake is GORGEOUS! You have done so much in three years, what an inspiration you are! xoxo.

Ps. I'm in love with a classic vanilla cheesecake. Plain, simple, perfect.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I am loving the colors of the birthday cheesecake! My fave cheesecake is rasberry lemon! Those sweet tart flavors just do it for me!

bradlaceygracie at yahoo dot com

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

I also have two favorite cheese cakes, that I honestly can't pick between. Maybe since it's fall but I can't get the thought of pumpkin cheesecake off of my brain!!! Every year at my Aunt's house she would make one for Thanksgiving, and no matter how much I ate of everything else, I would still "have room left" for a slice. The second is a lemon ricotta cheese cake.. The first time I made it, it didn't set right and we had to freeze it to try and get it less liquidy, but it was still sooo good! Love your… Read more »

Sugarluxe Art
Sugarluxe Art
11 years ago

I hit enter too soon – I meant to also say HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY to SPRINKLEBAKES!!! xo

Dawn
Dawn
11 years ago

That cheesecake is gorgeous! My favorite thus far has been cheesecake with brownie chunks in it! So rich and yummy!

Thank you for the giveaway!

Debbie W
Debbie W
11 years ago

Your layered cheesecake is so cute! One of my favorites is Choc Chip Cheesecake. Another is a creamy crustless version with sour cream topping. Have to tell you too…I just got your book and am looking forward to discovering lots of fun yummy goodies.
Thank you for this giveaway
Debbie
wolfisms@yahoo.com

Becky
Becky
11 years ago

My favorite cheesecake is plain Jane no toppings! I love the flavor of a good cheesecake with graham cracker crust.
Blwaganer@gmail.com

sabrina
sabrina
11 years ago

Do you know about Brigadeiro?! Just imagine Brigadeiro Chessecake! Heaven!!
Love love your your chessecake birthday!!
sabrina@simplybrigadeiro.com

Lilou
Lilou
11 years ago

My favorite cheesecake is the one my sister makes on sundays which has a delicious crust of speculoos and a sweet taste of orange blossom : miam ! 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

What a nice colored cheese cake you made!!!! My favourite cheese cake is made with Dulce de Leche. You can replace half of the cream with dulce de leche and mix softly, you can see parts in white and others in brown. The salty cheese combined with the sweetness of the dulce de leche is SUPER. That´s my favourite cheese cake.
Hope I can have a Kitchen Aid and your Book !!!
Congrats for your blog, I love it!!
gabitagliabue@hotmail.com

mary_s_e
mary_s_e
11 years ago

Love the colours on your cheesecake!!! If I had to choose my favorite kind of cheesecake is the original NY style cheesecake with fresh strawberries OR if I'm craving something fancier Wild blueberry and White chocolate cheesecake from the cheesecake factory so delicious!!

maryse.pelayo@gmail.com

Libby
Libby
11 years ago

I have fond childhood memories of the cheesecake my Mom made when I was growing up…..kind of spongey…..she still makes it on occasion. I know I may not have presented it in the best light…"spongey"…but it was great and it made me smile. I also have a wonderful recipe for a New York style cheesecake. We put mixed berries on top…..yummy and beautiful!

kati k.
kati k.
11 years ago

My favourite cheesecake is vanilla bean! I have also been meaning to try an avocado cheesecake. It sounds so interesting!

Kati
kati.m.kalmar@gmail.com

Cakes On The Lane
Cakes On The Lane
11 years ago

First of all your cheese cake looks amazingly delicious. As for my favorite cheese cake…my Aunt used to make the most amazing refrigerator cheese cake…it was so light it melted in your mouth. My favorite was when she put blueberries on top. I think I'm going to go make one now…

–Kathy CakesOnTheLane@gmail.com

Amber
Amber
11 years ago

This comment has been removed by the author.

Becky
Becky
11 years ago

My favorite cheesecake is plain Jane no toppings! I love the flavor of a good cheesecake with graham cracker crust.
Blwaganer@gmail.com

SuzyMcQ
SuzyMcQ
11 years ago

Such a pretty mixer! Favorite cheesecake, that's like asking which child is my favorite! I think something with caramel. chocolate and crunch or maybe something with vanilla beans like your recipe. I love that it doesn't look like a traditional cheesecake and that everyone would be expecting cake, so it would be a great surprise…I love mixing it up and serving something a bit unexpected!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

I love anything chocolate…..esp. cheesecake! vonajo921@gmail.com

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY!!!
I grew up eating German Cheesecake, so I guess I'm partial to that! (Who am I kidding?! I love just about any cheesecake!!) ♥

djmb.weller@verizon.net

Juliana Morgado
Juliana Morgado
11 years ago

That is the most beautiful thing I've seen in quite some time! <3

Well, my favorite cheesecake must have chocolate, just because everything is better with chocolate! I've made a no-bake chocolate cheesecake once and it was a hit! My friends and family devoured it in no time. It's in my blog, if you'd like to take a look.

Here's my e-mail: juliana@cupcakeando.com.br

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Tobelorone chocolate cheesecake is my favourite!
leonieshalders@hotmail.com

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Happy #3 to you!!

Cute birthday cheesecake – thanks for the recipe!

My favorite cheesecake is a toss=up between white chocolate raspberry and key lime — hard to pick!!

teddy1font@gmail.com
teddy1font@comcast.net

FiredropDesign
FiredropDesign
11 years ago

My fav cheese cake is a traditional lemon but with a thin layer of lemon jello on top…oh hold on maybe it's a Bailey's cheesecake….hmmmmmm…I feel a poem coming on!

I love my little Cheese cake ,
Full of Cream cheese and jello,
It makes me do a double take
And sing a song acapello!

Oh how I’d love a Kitchen Aid,
In beautiful pink from Sprinkle Bakes,
And I really hope I make the grade,
So I can make some wonderful cakes!

The End 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

I love to bake but have always been afraid of trying a cheesecake. Your Birthday cheesecake may be the first one I try. It is just breathtaking. Mary mgood221@aol.com

Amber
Amber
11 years ago

This time of year my favorite is pumpkin cheesecake. Well, pumpkin anything right now.
amber.vadovic@gmail.com

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

This is the most beautiful cheesecake I have ever seen 😮 And I love all the breath taking photos you make of your creations.
My favourite cheesecake is monchou cheesecake because that's the one me and my mother made several times so that's also the one with the best memories. I once had a strawberry cheesecake in London and that was to die for! Those British people sure know how to make cheesecake haha.

maudbakx@gmail.com

Candice
Candice
11 years ago

I love strawberry cheesecake! Also chocolate cheesecake. I made raspberry cheesecake minis and they came out amazing! Your work is beautiful, thank you for sharing it. sirnoahdoyle@yahoo.com