How I Ruined My Son's 18th Birthday Cake

When you don't follow a recipe (in this case my OWN recipe) bad things can happen.

While the Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake Tasted Delicious, it was not pretty! To avoid my disaster, follow my tips to use ROOM TEMPERATURE cream cheese.

Recipe:
For the Chocolate Crust
1 cup chocolate sandwich cookies crushed--about 12 cookies
3 tablespoons melted butter
For the Chocolate Cheesecake Batter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup strong coffee
16 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sour cream, at room temperature

2 large eggs at room temperature
Instructions
Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl and pour the hot coffee over the chocolate. Stir the mixture, until the chocolate has fully melted and set aside to cool.
For the crust of the cheesecake, process the cookies in a food processor fitted with an s-blade, until they turn into fine crumbs. Add the melted butter to the food processor and process until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Lightly grease or line a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper and then pour the cookie crumble into the pan. Using your hands or a cup, form an even layer on the bottom of the springform pan. Place the crust into the freezer while preparing the cheesecake batter. Alternatively, you can bake the crust for 10 minutes at 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, cornstarch, and vanilla with a handheld mixer on medium-low speed until smooth, being careful to not overmix, as this incorporates a lot of air into the cheesecake.
On low speed, mix the sour cream into the batter until just combined, this should only take 15-20 seconds.
In a small bowl whisk 1 egg, then add to the cheesecake batter and mix on low speed to just lightly combine. Repeat with the second egg. Remember to be careful to not over-mix!
Pour the batter into the springform pan on top of the crust. Tap the filled pan gently on the counter to bring air bubbles to the surface and pop with a fork or a toothpick.

Pressure Cook:
Pour 1-½ cups of cold tap water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Place the metal trivet in the inner pot. Place the cheesecake pan on top of the trivet, using a foil sling under the pan if desired.
Close the lid, be sure the vent knob is sealed, and set it to cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, or 45 minutes if covered with foil.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally FULLY.
Once the pressure has been released, open the lid slowly.
Check the cheesecake to see if the middle is set. If the cheesecake isn’t quite done, return the lid and cook at High Pressure for an additional 5 minutes, followed by a full natural release of pressure.
Use a paper towel to gently absorb any condensation on the surface.
Carefully, remove the cheesecake carefully from the pot and let it cool on a wire rack.
After 10 minutes, use a butter or pairing knife to loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan.
Continue to allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover well with plastic wrap and/or foil and chill for 8-12 hours.
Unmold the cheesecake, slice, and serve as desired.

[ginaschissler]

You can do no wrong in my book.
You are strong, brave - I would never have the guts to cook on youtube-and pure of heart.
I would happily eat any of your "mistakes"
It's nice to see that your son appreciates you, but you raised him so it's not a shock.
Happy birthday to him❤

[marksmith]

Happy Birthday to your son and thank for sharing! I never worry about presentation as its a temporary condition for food. I learn better from my mishaps anyways.

[clarencewiles]

Thumbs up 👍 ok mom what can I say, you have a great son thanks for sharing Happy Birthday to you’re son!😊

[tamk]

Your son is very handsome. Congratulations on his 18 th birthday 🎂 🌈🍰

[cathyphegley]

I’m excited for this recipe….. I’m not a dessert person but I love cheesecake! Hard to believe you have a son that’s 18!🙀

[laus]

My first instant pot pan-in-pan cheesecake came out lumpy. But my husband still loved it my family ate it up anyway. TBH it tasted delicious with the lumps in it.
Thanks! Now I know what I did wrong.
I'd eat your lumpy chocolate cheesecake!

[BeautifulKittenOfLove]

OMG...Yesterday I RUINED a lemon cake because I used warm water...even though you've TOLD us to use COLD! LOL
🥰

[Jim-tjlq]

Still looks good to me, after all I eat lumpy gravy all the time. 👍👍👍👍

[ReedShield]

I bet your son had a happy 18th birthday all the same!! It still looked good to me. Happy 18th to Kristen's son!!