fandomhigh | Baking Workshop 8/14, Monday Morning

"Good morning," Piper greets as the students arrive. "Today, you're going to make cheesecake. I brought a sample as well as muffins. Take whatever you want."

"I'd like each of you to bring a recipe of your choice next week. That's what you'll be making," she continues. "Try not to use a recipe that requires open flames."

She hands them a list of ingredients and instructions. "As always, I'm around if you have questions."

Equipment Needed

Measuring Cups

Measuring Spoons

Bowls

Springform Pan

Mixer

Knife

Crust Ingredients

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Filling Ingredients

3 packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 cups sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

Topping Ingredients

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Heat oven to 325°F.

Combine all crust ingredients in medium bowl.

Press onto bottom and 1-inch up sides of ungreased 9-inch springform pan.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

Combine cream cheese and sugar in large bowl.

Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.

Gradually add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Reduce speed to low; add 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until well mixed.

Pour cream cheese mixture into baked crust.

Bake for 80 minutes or until set 2 inches from edge of pan.

Meanwhile, combine remaining sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl.

Evenly spread over top of hot cheesecake.

Continue baking for 7 minutes.

Loosen sides of cheesecake from pan by running knife around inside of pan; remove sides of pan.

Cool completely (about 2 hours).

Leave uncovered until completely cooled. Store refrigerated.

[ooc: ingredients and instructions from here]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"That's what I've been trying to find out," Alphonse said meekly. "I mean, it was supposed to be a fairly simple transmutation. None of the instructions were difficult at all, and it didn't ask for too much, even for a fake stone. But, eh, I guess Lully turned out to be one of those alchemists who really had no idea what he was babbling on about in the end. And... no, it doesn't, thankfully, otherwise I'm sure a lot of people would still be mad about it. It was cleaned up within the week."

"Huh." Sakurazaki would have never imagined that Alphonse had it in him to be a demolitionist. She was strangely very impressed.

"... So I'm trying to figure out a theory that won't, y'know, backfire on us; or at least, to that degree," Alphonse crossed his arms, still leaning against the counter. "It's even harder when you've got next to nothing to go by, but I know for sure there's a way."

"What do you mean, next to nothing to go by?" Sakurazaki knew that she didn't understand Alphonse's alchemy stuff very well, but she still had it in her mind that maybe she could help.

"Well, we're both kinda starting from scratch," Alphonse replied. "And I don't remember a thing about the stone, as frustrating as that is. So now it's just a matter of prodding around through enough books and finding out what sounds plausible and what sounds like mindless babbling."

Sakurazaki grinned a little wryly as she figured that it all mostly sounded like mindless babbling to her, but she wouldn't admit to that. "I hope some things start surfacing in your reading, then. Things that won't get other room blown up."

...Speaking of which, she leaned forward a little to peek into the oven, just to check on the cake a little. All the talk of explosions had her a little nervous.

"I sure hope so, too. But, hey, the library's bound to have something that works," Alphonse nodded firmly. "If I need to, maybe I could find a teacher who'd be willing to let us into Special Collections. This place has insane amounts of information just floating around, I bet." Alphonse watched as Sakurazaki peeked into the oven, and looking back at the timer, he sighed. Hardly ten minutes had went by!

No signs of exploding cake yet. That was good. Sakurazaki settled back in her chair.

"Maybe I could ask around to some of my collegues when I'm in Japan next week. With the wide range of skills and attributes over at Mahora, I'd be shocked if someone didn't know anything about alchemy."

A thought hit him, and she snapped her fingers at the realization. "Library Island, of course! Mahora is home to one of the largest libraries in the world. I'll just have to ask Honya or Ayase-san if they know of anything, and see about maybe an extended loan." Sakurazaki beamed at her cleverness, rather pleased to have found something she might be able to do to help. Even if she'd be finding the books pretty blindly.

"Oh! Hey, could you?" Alphonse nearly bounded to his feet from against the counter, but managed to refrain from doing just barely before he did. "I-- I mean, if it's no trouble? That would be great if you could! But-- you don't have to if it'll get in the way."

"It's no trouble at all," Sakurazaki nodded, grinning at his enthusiasm. "I'm sure they'd love to help. And, with it being Library Island, we might get an adventure out of the whole deal, too."

"That'd be wonderful!" That grin on his face was one of a true, genuine geek in his field. "That makes me wish I could go, too... But thank you!"

Sakurazaki chuckled a little. "With how much time you already spend just in your room researching, I'd be afraid I'd never see you again if we let you loose on Library Island. And you're welcome."

"Aw, I'd surface once in a while to let you know I'm still alive," Alphonse snickered. "And maybe I'd finally get what we need..." He trailed off, now musing in his mind; it was probably obvious by his expression what he was thinking.

Grinning, Sakurazaki leaned on the table, propping her chin up with her palm and letting him get lost in his thoughts. It was really kind of cute, and made her chuckle a little again.

It took a moment or so for Alphonse to snap back into reality; once he did, he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Ah-- um. No pressure though, really! If you don't come up with anything, that's fine," Alphonse assured. "Hardly anyone here knows much about it anyway, I shouldn't be surprised if that applies elsewhere as well."

Sakurazaki gave him a firm look, although the little grin stayed on her face. "I promise you I'll come back with at least something. Might not be much, but at least something." She nodded.

"O-Okay, but really, don't worry too much about it..." He paused momentarily with realization; feeling silly it hit him so belatedly, he added, "... Oh, you're going back to Japan again?"

Sakurazaki's head tilted. "Oh, I hadn't told you yet?" She frowned, not particularly wanting to be reminded of it. "I got another job...and this one will have me gone for at least a week..."

"A week?" Alphonse frowned slightly in response as well, leaning back against the counter like he was before. "That sounds like a pretty difficult job then."

"At least," Sakurazaki sighed miserably. "Mana-san insisted that it wouldn't be a difficult job, just a time-consuming one. Which is at least something. My last job prep made me go nearly insane..."

Baking Workshop 8/14, Monday Morning

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