Million Dollar cheesecake: The secret recipe to a family favorite

The name "Million Dollar" is no accident. Fortunately, it's not about the price but the millions a bakery could earn by selling such a dessert. In my home, everyone jokes that if I started selling this cheesecake, I would quickly need to open branches. This dessert is tasty and simple to prepare, so it's worth choosing over a classic cheesecake.

A nutty cake, a creamy pudding layer, and cheese, with even more nuts—it's all it takes for happiness. The sponge cake with walnuts is perfect as a base and truly plays the main role, making this recipe stand out from others.

Ingredients:

Nut Cake:               

• 6 egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 egg yolks 
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil 
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup corn starch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1 cup ground walnuts 

Cheese Layer:               

• 1/2 cup butter 
• 3/4 cup sugar 
• 5 egg yolks 
• 21 oz cream cheese 
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup corn starch 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 5 egg whites

Pudding Layer:   

• 1/4 cup vanilla pudding mix 
• 2 cups milk (1/2 cup for the pudding)

Additionally: 

• 1 cup ground walnuts for sprinkling

Instructions:

Step 1. Start with the cake. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and beat them until stiff, along with the sugar. Then, while continuously mixing, add the yolks and oil. Next, add the sifted flour, cornstarch, and ground nuts and mix.

Step 2. Line the bottom of an 11x7 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Pour in the prepared batter and place it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 30 minutes, then let it cool.

Step 3. Prepare the cheese layer. Cream the softened butter with sugar and yolks. Add the cream cheese and mix. Then, add the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder, and combine. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff, add them to the cheese mixture, and mix gently.

Step 4. Pour the resulting mixture into the same baking dish where the nut cake was previously baked. Remember to line the base with parchment paper. Bake the cheesecake in the oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.

Step 5. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding. Dissolve the pudding powder in 1/2 cup of milk, then bring the remaining milk to a boil. When hot, pour in the pudding mixture and heat until thickened.

Step 6. Divide the cooled sponge cake into two parts. Soak one part with milk and spread half of the prepared pudding on it. Then place the baked cheesecake on top. It's okay if it breaks in half.

Step 7. Next, spread the remaining pudding and sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Refrigerate overnight. Enjoy!