I met Cynthia years ago in Paris. We were Americans living abroad, she had a bakery which was close to my apartment where she whipped up American favorites. Cynthia was a rising star in the pastry world and I was her official taster (well that is the title I would rather have than piglet. With the amount of desserts I ate in her shop, it is a wonder I didn't give birth to a cheesecake. Well actually Chelsea did weigh ten pounds at birth.)
Cynthia made her famous cheesecake the other night for dinner. It was a hit. Notes of chocolate and raspberry added to the flavor of the cheesecake. After all I wanted the guests to sing, and they certainly did sing praises to Cynthia.
French husband loves Cynthia's cakes and desserts. After eating his second piece of cheesecake he teasingly added, "The cheesecake has the taste of....." he looked up as if thinking what the missing flavor might be, and then looked at Cynthia and said, "...the taste of not enough." He had yet another piece.
The cheesecake is a top secret recipe, (though I have Cynthia's recipe but that is another story.) It is two layers, the crust is chocolate and it is laced with raspeberry and melted chocolate.
While Cynthia is staying with us I am in hog heaven.
Photos: Cynthia's Cheesecake.
I was very close, yesterday, with "cheese and profiteroles" !
Had it been a guessing game...?!?!?!
Oh oh...
Lovely cake, Sin-thia !!!
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 25 October 2007 at 11:55 AM
PS I enjoyed the story about the "cycling cake".
If one day you need money, just put that picture of FH on sale ... you'll get a fortune !!!
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 25 October 2007 at 12:02 PM
Thanks for spreading your sweetness all over the land..........You do know how to live!
Love you
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 25 October 2007 at 12:08 PM
Yes please. I'll have my piece this morning for breakfast.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | 25 October 2007 at 12:16 PM
What?! No recipe to share?? Ok, it'll just have to be a feast for my eyes & imagination, and not my taste buds.......sob sob.
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
Posted by: Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa) | 25 October 2007 at 12:34 PM
This morning , without eating during 24 hours , I wish I could have eaten another piece of this wonderful cake ....The taste is still in my mouth anyway .
Posted by: Mélanie | 25 October 2007 at 12:39 PM
Forgive me if I drool a little here, I love cheesecakes! Can I be a taster too? lucky you!!
Posted by: cruststation | 25 October 2007 at 12:49 PM
Corey,
Thanks for filling us in on the dessert! It needed to know the whole story!
And just an interesting tidbit...Steven weighed 10 lbs 15 oz at birth! Big babies!
Posted by: Beverly | 25 October 2007 at 01:11 PM
Yum! Chessecake is one of my favorites! I am lucky to have my Mom's recipe which is thick and way too rich...but that it why I love it. Hers looks just divine! Sounds like a nice party ;)
Posted by: My Melange | 25 October 2007 at 01:12 PM
Wow that looks wonderful! that elegant drizzle of chocolate over the top just makes it sing!
Posted by: Kit | 25 October 2007 at 01:50 PM
YUM! Next time I see you, we must have this!
Posted by: dkmp9293 | 25 October 2007 at 02:12 PM
Raspberries and chocolate and cheescake Oh my..!
There is something so unfair about husbands who can eat three desserts and not gain weight..!
My clothes feel tighter just looking at the photograph..!
Posted by: Sheila | 25 October 2007 at 02:12 PM
What about the bathroom scale? the needle will soon be going to the wrong side. Tant pis! diet will start next week, meanwhile enjoy Cynthia's marvellous cakes.
Posted by: Kitem | 25 October 2007 at 02:25 PM
Those pictures are such a tease. My mouth is watering.
Posted by: Shannon | 25 October 2007 at 02:40 PM
oh i have yet to meet a cheese cake i didn't like. ;)
delphine
Posted by: delphine | 25 October 2007 at 02:45 PM
Cheesecake is my BIGGEST weakness (second only to bread pudding). I can almost taste the decadence just by looking at your lovely cheesecake photos!
Posted by: beachy | 25 October 2007 at 03:21 PM
Perhaps we could start a world-wide trade of chocolate for whatever...
Posted by: Pauline | 25 October 2007 at 03:22 PM
Boy, Frenchhusband has the best "dessert line"
I've ever heard. Think I'm going to have to add that one to my vocabulary! Cynthia's cheese cake looks like a slice of heaven to me!
Double Yum!
Posted by: rochambeau | 25 October 2007 at 03:29 PM
"The taste of not enough" -- c'est parfait!
Posted by: fleur | 25 October 2007 at 03:33 PM
This post made me think of my husband....cheesecake is his favorite dessert ever. I will have to tell him French husband's line...I am sure he will use it often.
Posted by: tommiea | 25 October 2007 at 03:40 PM
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
If you don't want me to drop dead I need the bakery name in Paris....(or the recipe;..:)...)
Posted by: Catalina | 25 October 2007 at 03:41 PM
It was a dream, sooooooooooooo good !
And guess what Mélanie ?
I'am eating right now the last piece that I found in the refrigerater... and before Cynthia and Corey are coming back !!!
I wish I could save you a little, but no more... (before the next one) ;-)
Posted by: french husband | 25 October 2007 at 03:56 PM
It's beautiful and I'm sure it is delicious!
God bless Cynthia :o)
I loved your line about being official taster instead of piglet :o)
How do you stay so slim?
And men!!! It's just not fair that they can eat two pieces!!!
Posted by: Miz Booshay | 25 October 2007 at 03:59 PM
You're making me hungry! hahaha The cheesecake looks fabulous! Is cheesecake an American dessert? Do the French serve cheesecake or is that a novelty to them? I know they have delicious pastries there, but I've never considered if cheesecake was something they have or not.
Posted by: Ariane | 25 October 2007 at 04:16 PM
The cheesecake looks absolutely sinful! Can you send me a piece? LOL!!
Posted by: Lorene | 25 October 2007 at 05:20 PM
Mmmmm! Divine! It's always nice to have friends with similar interests!
Posted by: Travelingmama | 25 October 2007 at 05:28 PM
corey, You are killing me with this cheesecake photo! I just had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast : (
Posted by: Sandy | 25 October 2007 at 05:29 PM
I am not sure, but I think I feel my thighs expanding just looking at the picture of that cheese cake! Delish!!!!
Does your friend ever plan to visit Buffalo??? I know a place where she could stay and it comes with 7 people who would be delighted to taste test any dessert she would care to make! LOL
God bless.
Terri
Posted by: farmlife4014 | 25 October 2007 at 05:54 PM
Please pass another piece of cheesecake! yummy!
Posted by: Dee | 25 October 2007 at 06:04 PM
If ever, no, I mean WHEN your book comes, I hope it will have a section with recipes by you and your friends. Illustrated with FH tasting and delivering.......
You said once that you needed a million questions from us before you make a book. How far are we into the million? ;-)
The "amuse-bouche" you mentioned yesterday.....I have it. It's a hit! Even in my plain Norwegian kitchen.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 25 October 2007 at 06:32 PM
OMG!!!, Corey. I gained ten pounds just LOOKING at these photos. I'm swooning.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 25 October 2007 at 07:14 PM
I'm going to have to check, but I'm pretty sure this isn't on the Weight Watcher's diet. I'm dying over here.
Posted by: Mrs. G. | 25 October 2007 at 07:26 PM
OMG, be careful what you post!!!..those pictures and your enticing words was tempting me to run to Paris and find your friend and buy all her cheescakes :-) :-)
Posted by: Frieda | 25 October 2007 at 07:47 PM
Oh My Gosh! that looks heavenly. She is an American and cheese cake in America doesn't even look that good here.
I am drooling ~
Posted by: angela marie | 25 October 2007 at 07:52 PM
That is the most mouthwatering post I have ever read.
Posted by: Di Overton | 25 October 2007 at 08:18 PM
Corey,
That is a srumptious looking desert. Your photo and description was superb and tanalizing, truly a piece de resistance.
rel
Posted by: rel | 25 October 2007 at 08:52 PM
your photo's are beautiful
stories delightful
and now I'm hungry
xOx darlene
Posted by: Darlene | 25 October 2007 at 09:54 PM
Ohhhh...that looks soooo good. Lucky you to have a culinary wizard staying with you!
Posted by: susanna | 25 October 2007 at 10:58 PM
It isn't fair!!! I started on diet just a week ago :(
Posted by: Belém | 25 October 2007 at 11:06 PM
Love that extra note of chocolate. :-)
I can see how in your household nobody has to eat spelt bread with nutella if the chocolate urge gets to strong. ;-)
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 25 October 2007 at 11:07 PM
Now that looks positively divine. I must have some. Cheese cake WITH chocolate would be irresistible. You are a lucky piglet, I mean, taster. Piglet sounds adorable, however, and in this case I would not be ashamed to be called one.
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | 26 October 2007 at 01:19 AM
your writing is like a song...you swirl the words and expressions into a beautiful story.
reading your blog always makes me feel warm and cozy.
thank you.
Posted by: muzeyyen | 26 October 2007 at 01:25 AM
YUM! I can almost taste it and it is good (heh-heh).
Posted by: Liz Ness | 26 October 2007 at 01:44 AM
just seeing cheesecake in the title, i knew i was in trouble! it's probably just as well for my waistline that you didn't give us the recipe....there's too many things that taste like not enough and unfortunately it's not always the vegetables ;)
Posted by: heather | 26 October 2007 at 02:40 AM
Hey there Cynthia and Corey,
What great memories I have of hanging out in the shop. I would have loved to have come for dinner - at least for dessert. Love and hugs, Ellen
Posted by: Ellen Cassilly | 26 October 2007 at 03:00 AM
Oh oink. From one piglet to another, oinky oink. I love cheesecake! Shove on down the trough Corey, make room for another little hog at the feedbin!
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian | 26 October 2007 at 04:56 AM
I don't know if it's the chilly temperatures, but there are a lot of cheesecake posts around these days! One of my fav desserts because it's not too sweet...
Posted by: Betty C. | 26 October 2007 at 06:19 AM
I love these photos and the descriptions you write.
I hope you don't mind that I have added you to my blog roll.
Posted by: s'mee | 26 October 2007 at 06:51 AM
The amuse bouche below PLUS the cheesecake - a fabulous beginning and end to a special dinner.
Posted by: Becca | 26 October 2007 at 09:22 AM
oh my goodness! i am now starving for a piece of that cheesecake. i wish cynthia would stay with us! but, if she did i would just get fatter and fatter instead of working on my weight loss issue...so i guess it is better that she is with you. ;)
Posted by: sky | 26 October 2007 at 11:48 AM
Oh...let me eat cheesecake!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | 26 October 2007 at 08:31 PM
pass me a slice of that PLEASE!
Posted by: la vie en rose | 26 October 2007 at 09:11 PM
you know that posting pictures and descriptions and not even hinting at the whats in the recipe is just pure cruelty to a dessert loving cook like me...
Cynthia's Cheesecake ----- yuuuuum
Posted by: Ceylon Sapphire | 29 October 2007 at 12:56 AM
how gorgeous ! I loooooooove cheesecake !!!!
Posted by: mary | 29 October 2007 at 08:19 PM
Thats sooo cruel not to post a recipe!! When I was in the US I was warned chessecake would be everywhere and it was. I was one happy piggy.
Posted by: Steph | 29 October 2007 at 09:04 PM
That cheesecake looks dangerously good, now i'm hungry
Posted by: caty | 30 October 2007 at 02:32 PM