While living in Italy, whenever I would tell anyone that I was from Philadelphia, they would respons 'Like the cheese?' Then they would ask if we had Phila. Cream Cheese in Philadelphia. I responded yes and told them that my mother once made a cheesecake with it. Once I said that they wouldn't let me rest until I made one. I am the worst cook/baker ever and dreaded the thought of exposing myself as such. I got this recipe off the internet and made it for my inlaws. My Italian mother-in-law not only loved it, she requested that I make it again, and even asked me for the recipe. It's now my 'specialty.'
