Cheesecake and fresh summer fruit is an amazing combination. The rich creamy custard is a perfect foil for the sweet, tangy, juicy fruits.
Finally, a simple and easy way to make individual servings of cheesecake that are perfectly portable. Your slow cooker is the key to creating the warm, moist environment that’s best for baking cheesecakes.
HINT: There’s a huge difference in temperature, not to mention texture, between cream cheese straight from the fridge and cream cheese that’s been at room temperature for an hour.
If there’s one thing you can do to ensure a smooth batter for your cheesecake, it’s taking the time to let the cream cheese warm up.
Directions:
Prepare your favorite cheesecake batter according to the recipe directions. I used our Brooklyn-style cheesecake filling for its richness and perfect texture. Don’t worry about tracking it down, I’ve found it here for you: RECIPE.
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar. Place 2 tablespoons sweetened crumbs in each of seven 1/2-pint Mason jars. Press down lightly.
One of the beautiful things about this method is that you never have to turn on the oven. Even the crust bakes in the slow cooker. If you like a richer crust you can add melted butter to the crumb mixture, but I happen to like the crumbs a little looser and crisp.
Place the jars in a 7- to 8-quart slow cooker. Can you see the messy jar I filled up in the back? Do try to be a little neater than I was.
Fill each jar 3/4 full with your cheesecake filling. I found pouring the filling from a pitcher with a spout to be a great help.
Cheesecakes bake best in a warm water bath, called a bain marie. With the temperature control of the slow cooker, the water stays at a constant temperature and the moist air keeps the cakes from forming a crust on top.
To fill the cooker with water, loosely place a lid on each jar to prevent water from splashing in. Pour warm water in until the level reaches at least halfway up the sides of the jars.
Remove the lids from the jars, cover the slow cooker, and set the cooker to high for 1 to 2 hours.
I know this seems like a very wide range of time for cooking, but slow cookers vary, cheesecake batters vary, so it’s better to have a big window.
To test the cakes for doneness, insert a knife about 1/2″ in from the outer edge. The blade should come out moist, but clean. The centers of the cakes should no longer be wiggly or jiggly.
Turn off the slow cooker and allow the cheesecakes to cool down for about 20 minutes before transferring them to a rack.
Allow the cheesecakes to rest at room temperature for an hour before sealing with lids and rings. Chill the jars in the fridge for several hours (or up to overnight) before serving. Store tightly covered in the fridge for up to a week.
I’ve never been a big fan of freezing cheesecakes, but I’m pretty sure these would survive well in the freezer for at least a month.
Pass the berries, cherries, hot fudge sauce, and whipped cream for a topping party. Each person can create his or her own favorite combination, then dig in with a long-handled spoon.
* Guest Blog and Recipe Credit: King Arthur Flour
Filed under Cheesecake bridal shower ideas summer food recipe strawberries
Guest Blog: Kayla
Ingredients
- Approximately 3 cups white chocolate
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbs butter
- 1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
- 1 box (3.4 oz) Jell-O cheesecake pie filling mix
- 3 tbs Jell-O Strawberry Gelatin
Instructions
Prep a 9x9 or a 9x13 inch dish with wax paper. This will help you remove the block of fudge and cut it nicely.
Mix the chocolate chips & butter with the sweetened condensed milk and melt over medium heat in a saucepan.
Once smooth, add in the cheesecake mix and stir until combined. It’ll look grainy at first, but keep stirring for a minute or two.
Add in the marshmallow fluff and stir until mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour 2/3 of the mixture into your pan.
Add 1-3 tbs of the strawberry gelatin mix into the remaining mixture. Stir until even in color.
Pour the remaining mixture into the pan, use a toothpick to swirl the two together.
Refrigerate until set, remove from pan and cut! That’s it!!
* Recipe and Photos by Say Not Sweet Anne (Special Thanks to Kayla!)
Filed under Recipe Cheesecake Desserts Wedding Favors Fudge
Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 40 min
Cook Time: 1 hr, 25 min
I sampled a piece, and I have committed every single, creamy, decadent bite to my taste memory. I’ll tell you with great confidence that I think this cheesecake is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I gave away some cakes as holiday gifts and they were a big hit. This would be great to serve at a bridal shower or a small engagement party.
Using this recipe from the My Recipe website, I made a few changes. Here’s my how-to:
Ingredients:
CRUST:
17 oreo cookies, crushed finely
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 Tablespoon granulated white sugar
CHEESECAKE:
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
2 ounces red food coloring (two 1-ounce bottles)
FROSTING:
3 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
heavy duty foil
Directions:
1. Prepare crust: Stir together Oreo crumbs, melted butter, and 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar; press mixture into bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare water bath: Fill large roasting pan (big enough for springform pan to fit into) with about 1 inch of water. Place in oven and allow to preheat along with the oven.
3. Prepare filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium-low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Add eggs and remaining cheesecake ingredients, mixing on low speed just until fully combined.
Of course you must add red food coloring to get that wonderful red hue. Some people are frightened by the use of red food coloring. You can always try using a concentrated red gel paste instead- you’ll be able to use a smaller amount and still achieve a vibrant red hue.
Pour batter into prepared crust.
Hint: The key to baking a perfect cheesecake with no cracks is to bake it in a water bath. Protected by two layers of heavy-duty foil, the pan is lowered into a ‘bath’ and baked at a low temperature.
4. Take out two sheets of heavy duty foil and layer them on top of one another. Place springform pan on top of the foil and wrap the foil gently around the pan and up the sides. Make sure that there are no tears or holes and that the foil comes all the way up around all sides of the cake. Carefully place the foil-protected pan into the water bath in the preheated oven.
5. Bake for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 300°F. Bake for an additional 75 minutes or until the center is firm. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven for 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven.
See how perfect? Not a single crack.
Carefully remove cheesecake from water bath and place on wire rack. Run a thin knife around the outer edge of the cheesecake. Cool on rack for a couple of hours, until the cheesecake becomes close to room temperature. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours (or overnight). Remove sides of springform pan.
Just as a Red Velvet Cake is topped with a cream cheese frosting, this Red Velvet Cheesecake is also topped with a cream cheese frosting. You might be thinking that’s a little overboard. It is, but it’s perfect. 
6. Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Spread evenly on top of cheesecake. Garnish, if desired.
Tips:
Filed under Recipe Cheesecake Red Velvet
Is there a more indulgent, decadent, comfort food that cheesecake? Yes! White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake =). You would never believe this cheesecake is actually very simple to make! You don’t even need a springform (cheesecake) pan! You can create your own little piece of art with a few simple tools … aka my secret weapons : )
You will need a clean medicine syringe (preferably 2 tsp size, I always just ask for one at the local pharmacy, they’re free) and a toothpick or a sharp pointy knife. Also, you will need a fine mesh strainer.
If you are searching for that dessert to bring to the Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering that will get that “Wow! How did you do that?” factor without hours of hard work, then this is definitely the dessert you will want to make! Not only does it look delicious, it tastes equally delicious! The combination of white chocolate and raspberry is luxurious! Not to mention the rich flavor that comes from the chocolate crust.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
Yields 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 store-bought pre-made oreo crust (save the lid)
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/3 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
12 oz. cream cheese (1 1/2 pkg.), softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped or 1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small saucepan, whisk together 1 Tbsp granulated sugar and cornstarch until well blended. Stir in cold water and add raspberries. Cook over medium heat whisking often, until raspberries break down and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and force sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl to remove seeds, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 1 minute. Mix in egg and egg white. Add vanilla and lemon juice. Set mixture aside.
Melt white chocolate with cream in a double boiler until melted and smooth, or melt in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Add melted chocolate mixture to cream cheese mixture and blend until smooth.
Pour 2/3 cup cheesecake mixture into the oreo crust and spread evenly over bottom. Drizzle or spoon with 2 Tbsp raspberry sauce. Slowly ladle remaining cheesecake mixture over the drizzled raspberry sauce, covering all the raspberry sauce (you just don’t want it to show through). Swirl cheesecake with a toothpick or knife (your just swirling that inside layer of sauce for now, be careful not to let the sauce show through). Carefully giggle the pan to even out the top.
Now, fill a clean medicine syringe with raspberry sauce and begin to pipe small circles in a swirl pattern over cheesecake.
Take a toothpick or sharp pointy knife and beginning with the center circle, run the toothpick through the center of each heart (don’t lift the toothpick out until you finish the last circle).
Bake cheesecake for 40 minutes, then turn oven off and leave cheesecake in the oven for 5 more minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Cover with saved lid and refrigerate until fully set about 6 hours. Top slices with remaining raspberry sauce and optional sweetened whipped cream (optional)
Don’t worry about trying to make the heart swirl perfect. I get irritated every time I make it with some part of the swirl. Like this time for example, I was so frustrated because the swirl was off center and some of the hearts were too lop-sided. It will never be perfect. Have fun making it and don’t stress too much about the look, art is never perfect, it’s unique!
Also, this dessert makes for an amazing holiday gift to friends and family.
Filed under Cheesecake Recipe
I’m sure you have figured out by now that I love desserts or anything sweet.
My most recent dessert find is cheesecake cupcakes! Cupcakes are awesome because they are the perfect, individual size treat to serve at any party.
CRUST
To make the crust, I used store-bought oatmeal cookies that I pulsed in the food processor. And I loved that taste.
But, surely, graham crackers will do just fine.
*Hint: If you do not have a food processor, place cookies in a one gallon ziplock bag and crush them using a rolling pin… it will work well!
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F (160 C).
2. In a smaller bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Stir together with a fork until well blended.
3. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
4. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. You can use a small glass to press the crumbs down.
Bake for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
Cheesecake Mixture
5. To make the cheesecake batter, beat the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
6. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner.
Strawberry Puree
7. To make the fruit puree, combine the strawberries and sugar in a blender or food processor.
Then spoon it into a piping bag (or don’t, because you can easily leave the puree in a bowl and use a spoon to work with it afterwards).
8. Dot the puree over the cheesecake filling.
9. And then use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to lightly swirl the surface.
10. Bake at 325 F (160 C) for about 22-25 minutes.
11. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature.
12. Then transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Mmmmmm…!
Enjoy!
**This recipe was adapted from the one and only annies-eats.com. It makes about 24 cupcakes.
Filed under Cheesecake Cupcakes Recipe Desserts
Go beyond the sandwich and try this lusciously creamy cheesecake made with your favorite childhood spread.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cup(s) Chocolate Wafer Cookie Crumbs
- 4 tablespoon(s)
- Butter, melted
- 4 package(s) (8-ounce) Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup(s) Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 cup(s) Sugar
- 4 large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup(s) Sour Cream
- 2 teaspoon(s) Vanilla Extract
- 3 ounce(s) Bittersweet Chocolate, melted
- 6 Regular-Size Peanut Butter Cups, quartered
- To make the crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray; tightly cover outside of pan with a double thickness of foil. Combine cookie crumbs and butter in a bowl until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press into bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes; let cool on a wire rack.
- To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth. Reduce speed to medium and beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until just blended. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the batter to a medium bowl; stir in chocolate. Add peanut butter to cream cheese mixture in large bowl and beat until smooth. Remove 1 3/4 cups of the peanut butter batter to a medium bowl and reserve.
- Spoon the remaining peanut butter batter over crust in pan. Top evenly with peanut butter cups, gently pressing pieces into batter. Alternately drop reserved chocolate batter and reserved peanut butter batter on top of peanut butter cups to cover; swirl batters together with a skewer or a knife to marbleize.
- Place cheesecake in a larger baking pan and place on oven rack. Carefully pour enough hot water into larger pan to reach 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake 1 hour, or until cake barely jiggles in the center.
- Remove cheesecake from water bath; remove foil. Using a thin knife, carefully cut around top edge of cake where it meets the pan to release. Let cool completely on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate until cold, 6 hours or overnight.
- To serve, run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen and remove side of pan.
(Source: zazzle.com)
Filed under Recipes Cheesecake DIY
Oreo Cookie Cheesecake
Have you ever had an Oreo Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory? If you haven’t, you have no idea what you have been missing.
Since I love cheesecake I was searching for a recipe and found one from the Chessecake Factory for this heavenly dessert. I have not tried this Oreo recipe yet but plan to soon. Imagine serving this cheesecake at your bridal shower or to wedding guests. If you aren’t into cooking, you can give this recipe to your caterer.
Cheesecake Factory Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients:
1 package (20 oz) Oreo cookies
1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese - room temperature
3/4 cup sugar, 4 eggs lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
whipped cream
Additional Oreo cookies, halved (optional)
- Finely crush 26-30 cookies and set aside.
- Coarsely chop remaining cookies and set aside.
- Mix together finely crushed cookie crumbs and melted butter.
- Press cookie/butter mixture on the bottom and two inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar in bowl with electric sociable astatine medium speed until creamy.
- Blend in lightly beaten eggs, one astatine a time, stirring by hand, to mix well after each addition.
- Stir in sour cream and vanilla, until well blended.
- Fold sliced cookies into the cheesecake batter.
- Pour mixture into prepared crust.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
- Cool on wire rack astatine room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Run a thin blade stab around the inside of the pan between the pan and crust, being careful non to cut into the cake.
- When cooled to room temp, refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Remove side from pan; garnish with whipped cream, and a cookie half.
Photo credit: Cheesecake Factory
(Source: zazzle.com)
Filed under Cheesecake DIY Recipes
These would be cute for a bridal shower.
Yield: 32 cupcakes
Ingredients
For the crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3 tbsp. sugar
For the raspberry swirl:
6 oz. fresh raspberries
2 tbsp. sugar
For the filling:
2 lbs. cream cheese, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Stir together with a fork until well blended and all the dry ingredients are moistened. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Bake until just set, 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
To make the raspberry puree, combine the raspberries and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
To make the cheesecake, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
To assemble, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner. Dot a ½ teaspoon of the raspberry puree in a few dots over the cheesecake filling. Use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to lightly swirl and create a marbled effect.
Bake until the filling is set, about 22 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. (They will look quite puffed initially but will return to normal quickly.) Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
Credits: Annie’s Eats (Thanks! Love this recipe)
(Source: zazzle.com)
Filed under Cheesecake Cupcake Dessert Wedding favors Recipes
