Although you can't argue with the simple truth that this recipe is divinely delicious, it actually holds a very special place in my heart because of a very very eventful summer in 2007. Even reminiscing now, I still can't believe how much happened in those few months. There was a new job, an old flame newly rekindled, new friendships forged, familial ties shattered and a devastating loss very dear to my heart.

In all the craziness of that summer, this recipe made two appearances and both birthday parties will stay with me always. The first was for my cousin's birthday. My grandmother was already quite ill then and we got the whole family together at her house. I still see it as if it were yesterday with my grandmother in bed with all of her grandchildren around her as I was cutting this cheesecake. It was the last thing I baked for my grandmother before she passed away.

The second appearance was for Meredith and Rhea's joint birthday party at the cabin--not an actual cabin, just a house in the burbs we all used to hang out at (but to us it was never just a house). Actually, let me rewind a bit. I know from experience exactly how intimidating our group of friends can be to meet. It's quite a large group and one time I actually got the full run down of how everyone knows each other. It's a very complicated web and no lie, that conversation lasted about 30 minutes.

Anyway, the very first time I met most of them, everyone was hanging out at The Bulldog. Blake and I somehow got around to a cheesecake discussion, and I couldn't rave enough about the Baklava Cheesecake. Although Blake has absolutely no recollection of meeting me that night, her enthusiasm for Baklava Cheesecake totally hooked me. I made it for the next party and I like to think this cheesecake sealed my fate. It's the first thing I ever made for these guys and we've been besties ever since.

So yea, I made this recipe for the first time in a long time this weekend and I laughed and cried when I started thinking about all the wonderful memories and I hope it becomes as special to you as
it is and will always be for me. :)

I've been dying for an excuse to make all the messes that go along with this cake and when Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito say "this is a slightly showy, purely holidayesque affair" the real translation is: you really don't want go through all the bowls in your kitchen just for any old day, so save this one for when you have the time off from work to take on a. the baking & assembly and b. the ginormous sink-full of dishes.

When the host of our little family dinner shindig hinted she'd like a log cake, but wasn't sure if she should ask knowing it would be quite an undertaking, I practically squealed in delight. I've always wanted to attempt a Bûche de Noël, and since my lovely mother gave me Baked Explorations for my birthday I've been absolutely salivating at the chance to make their cooler more distinctly "Baked" take on this classic.