Share Your Favorite Holiday Party Recipe and Win!

Last week, we explored all the finer points of holiday office party nightmares; now let's get to the bread and butter of the season...literally. Beside the co-worker that indulges in libations and becomes belligerent to the boss, what's the best part of any holiday party? You guessed it: the food!

OfficeArrow wants to hear from you with your best holiday party dishes. We'll even reward you for your time. Simply follow the "Discuss" button to post your favorite recipe (or recipes) and we'll choose a winner at random. One lucky member will receive:

• A $50 gift certificate to Williams-Sonoma to help further your culinary adventures.

So start posting those recipes! The contest begins today, Tuesday, December 16, 2008 and will conclude on Sunday, December 28th at midnight EST. The winner will be announced Monday, December 29th, so be sure to look for your name. And remember, we'll have lots of contests coming in 2009 so stay tuned for your chance to win more awesome prizes from OfficeArrow.

Allow me to help get things started. My all time favorite seasonal treat (I'll eat it anytime really) is cheesecake. In the past few years, I've been perfecting this recipe and using friends and family as Guiney Pigs during the holidays. Give it a whirl, you'll love it:

Mouth Watering Creamy Cheesecake with Warm Lemon Blueberry Topping

Crust:

• 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 1 pound cream cheese, 2 (8-ounce) blocks, softened

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 pint sour cream

• 1 lemon, zested

• 1 dash vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 pint blueberries

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

• 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not overbeaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set the cheesecake pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides around it. Be sure to not overlap two pieces of foil on the bottom. You want to have one large piece of foil that fits over the entire bottom so that water does not seep in. Place the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan; the foil will keep the water from seeping into the cheesecake. Bake for 1 hr. and 10 minutes, then turn off the oven and prop the door open with a spoon. Let the cheesecake then sit for another ½ hour. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of Warm Lemon Blueberry topping over the surface.

Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.

Topping Directions

In a small saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly. Leave to cool before spreading on cheesecake.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Contest begins on 12/15/08 and ends on 12/28/08 at midnight EST. After the contest ends, each person who submits a reply will be entered into the contest and a winner will be chosen at random. Three winner will either receive a $50 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. The winner will be announced on www.OfficeArrow.com on 12/29/08. Winner's acceptance of the prize(s) constitutes permission for OfficeArrow and its affiliates to use his or her name, photograph and likeness for purposes of advertising and promotion without compensation.