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July 30, 2014

Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping

Name: Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 12 4-ounce Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients: 1 cup Graham Cracker crumbs (, gluten-free or regular (I used Kinnikinnck S’moreables, ground in a blender to make crumbs)); 1 tablespoon plus ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar; 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (, melted); 1 8- ounce package of Mascarpone Cheese (, room temperature); 1 8- ounce package Cream Cheese (, room temperature); 2 Eggs (, room temperature); ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract; Zest of ½ Lemon; Supplies: 12 4-ounce jelly jars; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar; 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar; 2 cups smaller-sized Strawberries (, hulled and quartered lengthwise); Generous pinch each Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper; Optional garnish: mini spearmint leaves

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I have always loved cheesecake but feel a bit sheepish to admit I’ve never made a sweet one until now. A favorite Boulder Locavore reader recipe, especially for fall and winter entertaining, is Savory Blue Cheesecake {appetizer}. You’d think a sweet confection of the cheesecake variety might have preceded that but I suppose ‘better late than never’ applies here. Or perhaps’ good things are worth the wait’!

My inspiration for making the cheesecake really belongs to friend and blogging colleague Roxana, of Roxana’s Home Baking. Regular readers might recall her invitation to participate in a chocolate surprise endeavor that for me yielded Frozen Chocolate Fluffernutter {Peanut Butter-Marshmallow} Pie. Roxana is famous for her cheesecake and she’s prolific, creating every size and flavor of cheesecake imaginable. For this cheesecake extravaganza she lassoed almost 60 of us to participate and you can enjoy the other recipes through their links below!

I have a bit of a thing for desserts in jars and small desserts. Partially because at this time of the summer a mere bite of dessert can seem too much with the heat, as well as I think they are cute. If a dessert is small you can always eat more than one but often a few delicious bites is all someone wants.

The first idea that popped to mind stemmed from a very unusual dessert my husband made for my birthday celebration years ago. Macerated strawberries mixed with balsamic vinegar and black pepper atop mascarpone cheese. I’m imagining some wrinkled noses and secret thoughts wondering if he really likes me very much from the sound of that dessert. It was fantastic and something I’ve clearly never forgotten. It bore a wonderful combination of sweet fruit offset by a tang, and spiced by the pepper, complimented by the sweet, creamy marscapone cheese. The flavors blend well allowing each ingredient to play its part without stealing the show.

I was so glad my fixation held as it made a perfect topping for the mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes, made in 4 ounce jelly jars. I simply love the flavor combination in this dessert; it is a surprise to the palate and one I think you’ll agree is deliciously unforgettable. Another fun thing about the jelly jars is they become portable with a lid. The cheesecakes may be made the day prior and topped with the strawberry mixture just before serving. I’ll confess we enjoyed this equally for breakfast as for dessert! I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.

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Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping

These miniature Mascarpone Cheesecakes are a perfect size for mixing desserts or when a little is just right. Of course more than one can be eaten! When topped with the Strawberry Balsamic mixture, they become a surprising delight no one will be able to resist.The volume of the 12 jelly jar cheesecakes is equivalent of half a regular cheesecake for your planning. The recipe can easily be doubled if desired, keeping all ingredient proportions the same. Cheesecake may be made the day before serving and kept in the refrigerator once cooled, covered.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings 12 4-ounce Mini Cheesecakes

Author Toni Dash

Ingredients

Ingredients for Mini Cheesecakes:

1 cup Graham Cracker crumbs , gluten-free or regular (I used Kinnikinnck S’moreables, ground in a blender to make crumbs)
1 tablespoon plus ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter , melted
1 8- ounce package of Mascarpone Cheese , room temperature
1 8- ounce package Cream Cheese , room temperature
2 Eggs , room temperature
½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Zest of ½ Lemon
Supplies: 12 4-ounce jelly jars

Ingredients for Strawberry Balsamic Topping:

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
2 cups smaller-sized Strawberries , hulled and quartered lengthwise
Generous pinch each Kosher Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper
Optional garnish: mini spearmint leaves

Instructions

Instructions for Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray jelly jars inside with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the melted butter; stir to fully combine.
Spoon crust mixture evenly into the twelve prepared jars (approximately 1 tablespoon per jar). Tamp crust down with the back of a dining spoon or a wine cork (something with a flat bottom) to evenly distribute crust on the bottom of the jars.
In the bowl of a freestanding mixer, beat together the cream cheese, mascarpone cheese and remaining sugar (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time; blend until incorportated. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract; blend until fully combined.
Add the cheese mixture evenly to the jelly jars, filling to just below the lowest outer glass ring (approximately ¾ inches from the top of the jar; refer to photos).
Place jars in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Fill the pan with hot water until the water level reaches hallway up the outside of the jelly jars.
Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove mini cheesecakes from the pan and allow to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack.

Instructions for making Strawberry Balsamic Topping:

Fifteen minutes prior to serving cheesecakes, combine sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine and dissolve sugar.
Add strawberries and using a mixing spoon, combine the strawberries with the liquid so the berries are fully coated. Allow to sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, After 15 minutes spoon evenly on the top of the cheesecakes.