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'!
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.
Recipe
Mini Mascarpone Cheesecakes with Strawberry Balsamic Topping
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.
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says
This flavor combination is fabulous! Now that you have started making cheesecake, I can’t wait to see what else you come up with!
Julie says
These are lovely! That strawberry balsamic topping makes it the perfect dessert for a spring or early summer dinner party!
sam says
Gorgeous photos! I’d like to get my hands on 1 (or 4) of these!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
I love strawberry and balsamic but have never tried with black pepper. Of course you got me all curious and can not wait to try it!
Your single serve cheesecake turned out so pretty! Love that you baked them in mini jelly jars. Such a cute idea!
Thanks for making your first sweet cheesecake to celebrate cheesecake day with us, Toni!
Christine at Cook the Story says
I love that they’re portion controlled!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Those strawberries are gorgeous. And food in jars is my favorite 🙂
Toni Dash says
Me too Aimee!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
These are gorgeous! So so pretty! I can only imagine how delicious they must be.
Toni Dash says
Thank you Katrina! I absolutely love your cheesecake for National Cheesecake Day. It is so unexpected, fabulous and fun. Just like you!
Christie - Food Done Light says
These look amazing. I love mini desserts. They always looks so cute and you can indulge without over doing it.
Toni Dash says
I agree Christie. Also it’s really the first bite that is the best. Having 4-6 more bites is about right and you leave happy rather than overstuffed!
Liz says
Oh, these look heavenly, Toni! If I knew these were in your kitchen, I would have jumped in the car and made that drive north to visit you 🙂
Toni Dash says
I would have LOVED to see you while you were here Lizzy! Sadly I spent 4 full days at an Aquatics Center for the end of summer swim team. It did not seem a fun invitation for a friend visiting the area! We could have had coffee at the concessions stand!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I have actually never had Mascarpone before!! But, I have been dying to try it…and anything cheesecake is a win! Pinned!
Toni Dash says
It’s really delicious Taylor. Once you try it I’m sure you’ll think of all sorts of ways to use it!