Mini Cheesecakes with Orchard Fruit | DFM

Mini Orchard Fruit Cheesecakes

Prep Time

15 min.

Cook Time

22 min.

Serving Size

12 servings

These tiny cheesecakes are made with cottage cheese yet will surprise you with their rich taste and texture. The pretty topping of cinnamon-sprinkled orchard fruits will make your guests think you’ve become a pastry chef.

Ingredients

CRUST & FILLING

1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
2 cups (500 mL) 2 % to 4% cottage cheese
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup (175 mL) graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp (30 mL) butter, melted

TOPPING

2 peaches, plums or small pears or 4 apricots (or a mixture)
1 Tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon

Directions

1.	Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line 12 cups of a muffin pan with paper liners.
2.	In a food processor or in a tall cup using an immersion blender, combine sugar, flour, cottage cheese and vanilla; purée until smooth. Add eggs and process just until incorporated.
3.	In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Spoon crumbs into papers, dividing equally and pressing lightly. Pour in the cheese mixture, dividing equally.
4.	Bake for about 22 min or until slightly puffed and just set. Let cool for 15 min. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hr, until chilled, or for up to 2 days.
5.	Before serving, preheat the broiler with rack 4 inches (10 cm) from heat. Cut fruit into 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) wedges; arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle about half evenly over the fruit. Broil for 2 to 3 min or until the fruit is tender.
6.	To serve, peel papers from cheesecakes and place cakes on serving plates. Arrange warm or cold fruit on top of cheesecakes and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.

Recipe and photo are provided by Dairy Farmers of Canada. For more recipe ideas, visit dairygoodness.ca

Tips

When baked, the cheesecakes should be slightly puffed and slightly jiggle in the center.
Over-baking the cakes will cause them to be dry and possibly crack.
Tip for Kids: Kids will love the tiny size of these cheesecakes. Older kids can make them with minimal supervision when using the food processor and broiler.
For the Adventurous: Add the scraped seeds of 1/2 a vanilla bean or 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla bean paste to the cheesecake mixture in place of the extract.
Omit the sugar for sprinkling on fruit, and drizzle fruit with dessert wine or liqueur after broiling.