Cheesecakes for You from LindyLou

It’s pretty hard to say no to cheesecake.

Especially ones made by Linda Mullenbach.

Linda, who made cheesecakes at The Cottage Sampler in St. Ansgar for 15 years, is now taking orders for cheesecakes of every flavor imaginable.

Linda uses the freshest and best ingredients imaginable, from Watkins flavorings to fresh eggs from her sister Karen Brumm (each egg dated when laid) to Philadelphia Cream Cheese. She is also state certified to cook out of her own home.

Although she has hundreds of recipes, her own expertise ensures that every cheesecake is perfect. “Every recipe I have I make a bit different,” she says. “Sometimes I think they need more cream cheese or more chocolate, or whatever ingredient. They are all good.”

Now is the time to put an order in for a holiday cheesecake. Seasonal cheesecakes include: Kahula, Candy Cane Swirl (candy cane mint chocolate swirled cheesecake garnished with whipped topping and candy cane mint kisses), Pecan with Warm Praline Sauce (rich dark brown sugar and pecan cheesecake filling drizzled with a warm brown sugar pecan praline sauce -this is Linda’s husband (Mike)’s favorite cheesecake), Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake (tastes just like the candy) or the Caramel Brownie Cheesecake (melted caramels over a vanilla cookie crumb crust, topped with crumbled brownies with a cheesecake filling, garnished with whipped topping, brownies and chocolate sauce).

And there are many more! Her website lists many choices. The cheesecakes are typically $25, although a few are $30, and each easily serve 12 (if not more) people.

Linda’s favorite cheesecake? “It’s probably Raspberry, with fresh berries on top with a raspberry glaze that is swirled through the cheesecake that has Godiva White Chocolate Liquer,” said Linda, whose middle name is Louise, hence Lindy Lou.

See Linda’s website: www.lindylouscheesecakes.com for more information. You can also contact her at 641.737.2173 or lindylou@lindylouscheesecakes.com. Gift certificates, which would be a terrific Christmas present, are also available.

Published  by The Monitor Review — Stacyville, Iowa — Adams, Minnesota, December 2, 2010.