Cheesecake.... is it cake as the name implies? Or is it in fact a pie?
The Cake Argument
Pie tends to be quite fruit oriented. I believe we can all agree on this fact. Meanwhile, cake tends to rule all that is sugar and/or dairy. Like ice cream cakes, cheesecake is certainly dairy oriented.
Also, cakes are often kept cool. Pies are often made hot. Cheesecake? It is kept cool of course.
And let us not completly neglect that the name cheesecake certainly does imply that it is a cake.
The Pie Argument
The crust... Cakes do not have crusts. Sure they can have that extra layer of frosting around the edge, they can have sprinkles or even crumbled up oreos, but they never seem to have that distinctive pie crust that is seen on cheesecake.
Another thing, we earlier said that cheesecake does not share the trait of fruit, an important part of the pie world. This is not entirely true. First off, fruit is grand to put on top of a slice of cheesecake right along with whipped cream (which also tends to be used on pie more than cake). And, more importantly, I'm sure we've all heard of strawberry cheesecake...
The Conclusion
The arguments for both sides are indeed compelling... There are undeniable points for each.
And it is because of this that I have concluded that cheesecake is in fact the bastard lovechild of Cake and Pie. A lonely hybrid, destined to never be seen at birthday parties OR the holiday dinner table.
But I think most of us can agree, despite it's bastardly status, cheesecake is loved and certainly has it's destinctive niche in the world of desserts.
