Technically, it's tomorrow...

I have been working on the cheesecake for Christmas dinner. I have to admit, this would have been much harder without all my modern appliances (food processor to turn the graham crackers into crumbs, microplaner to make the lemon zest, stand mixer to mix everything together, and so on...).

I was prepared to spend some bucks for the ingredients (2 1/2 pounds of cream cheese, sour cream and so forth) but the raspberries for the topping nearly killed me! Out of season here of course, but I found them at Westborn Market. I needed 3 half-pints, and they were $4.99 a half pint! Ouch!!!

Also, I could NOT find the currant jelly I needed, so I settled for strawberry jelly... we'll see how that works...

Another thing, the baking of this bad boy is bizarre! You bake the crust for 8 minutes at 350 degrees, then cool it to room temperature. After adding the filling, you bake it at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Then you turn the oven down to 225 degrees and bake it for one hour and fifteen minutes. Then, (oh yes, it goes on...) you turn the oven off and open the door wide. The cake has to sit there for 30 minutes more. Then it has to sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, then be refrigerated overnight. Good God! Will I be able to sleep at all tonight?

This better be excellent, that's all I have to say! (Did I mention I hate baking?)