Pour the batter on top of the chilled crust, set the pan on a cookie sheet to catch any drips, and bake it at 350 degrees F. for 55 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, but DON’T SHUT OFF THE OVEN.

Starting in the center, spoon the sour cream topping over the top of the cheesecake, spreading it out to within a half-inch of the rim. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Cool the cheesecake in the pan on a wire rack. When the pan is cool enough to pick up with your bare hands, place it in the refrigerator and chill it, uncovered, for at least 8 hours.

To serve, run a knife around the inside rim of the pan, release the Springform catch, and lift off the rim. Place a piece of waxed paper on a flat plate and tip it upside down over the top of your cheesecake. Invert the cheesecake so that it rests on the paper.

Carefully pry off the bottom of the Springform pan and remove the paper from the bottom crust.

Invert a serving platter over the bottom crust of your cheesecake. Flip the cheesecake right side up, take off the top plate, and remove the waxed paper.

Spread the cherry pie filling over the sour cream topping on your cheesecake. You can drizzle a little down the sides if you wish.

Hannah’s Note: I’ve made this cheesecake with other pie fillings including blueberry, apple, raspberry, and even lemon. It’s wonderful with any one you choose.

Mother says you have to serve this cheesecake with strong coffee—it’s just too rich to eat without something to sip.

Chapter

Chapter

Ten

“I feel much better,” Andrea said, finishing her last cookie and giving her older sister a half smile. “It’s almost as good as rocking Bethany and having her fall asleep in my arms. These are my new favorite cookies, Hannah. What do you call them?”

“Mock Turtles. They’ve got pecans, caramel, and chocolate, just like the candy.”

“That’s a great name. They even look like turtles.”

Hannah nodded, not mentioning that the candy had been named for the same reason.

“Why does chocolate always make you feel better?”

“I think it’s the endorphins, but I don’t know for sure. Whatever it is, it works.”

“They should set up a chocolate stand in every courthouse, right outside the divorce court.”

Uh-oh, Hannah thought, searching desperately for something to say to get her sister’s mind off divorce. “Maybe Herb should pass out chocolates every time he writes a parking ticket.”

“It might help,” Andrea said, squaring her shoulders. “There’s probably a perfectly good explanation and I’ll laugh when I hear it. I just don’t know what it is yet.”