UrbnSpice

"A Taste Of Heart & Home"

Cheesecakes

Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

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Have you ever tried a Malteser? It is a confection with a history dating back to the 1930s! American Forrest Mars, Sr. invented the Malteser in England in 1936. They were originally described as energy balls, which were marketed to women as a slimming aid as they had much less chocolate than the chocolates of the day. This classic malt center candy is a tiny light-as-air sphere covered in milk chocolate. While I am not a huge candy consumer, I find these particular bonbons quite unique both in texture and in taste. I have created a cheesecake that incorporates Maltesers, along with white chocolate in the filling. Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes are an individually baked cheesecake that maintains the crunch of the Maltesers candy as well as highlights the chunks of candy.  Try it! You will enjoy it!

Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes | urbnspice.com

Malteser White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

It is interesting to note that Maltesers are one of Canada’s top 10 selling candies, along with popular brands such as Crispy Crunch, Aero Bars, Glosettes and Smarties.

I have incorporated Maltesers into baking before. One of my favourite loaf recipes is Anna Olson’s Malted Milk Chocolate Cakes. I will make that recipe again soon. It is a hit at coffee parties.   In the meantime, enjoy this cheesecake!…

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How to Make Raspberry Mini Cheesecakes

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Have you ever noticed that most restaurants offer cheesecake on their dessert menu? It is definitely a favourite choice for many people and also for the restaurants as cheesecake stores and freezes well. I prefer making cheesecake in individualized portions, served simply with a raspberry coulis or a few fresh berries. In this post, I will share a recipe for Raspberry Mini Cheesecakes. This featured cheesecake recipe has a pink hue created by the raspberry puree which is combined with a delicious coconut crust infused with lime zest. For Valentine’s Day, I dress the cheesecakes up by creating a heart swirl decoration before it is baked. The decoration stays attractively suspended on top of the thick cheesecake batter.

Skip to Cheesecake Recipe

Raspberry Mini Cheesecakes | urbnspice.com

Raspberry Mini Cheesecake

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White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes with Gluten Free Crust

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I love cheesecake! Just about everyone in my circle of family and friends will answer “cheesecake” when asked what their favourite dessert is.  I like to make sure that no one is left out due to dietary restrictions, so I developed this recipe for White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes with a Gluten Free Crust. Even the folks that could eat foods with gluten loved this cheesecake.

Although this delicious white chocolate cheesecake recipe will feed a crowd (9-inch springform pan), I prefer to divide the cheesecake custard to make mini cheesecakes (18 – 24 mini cheesecakes). The crust I created for this particular cheesecake is a gluten-free rice flour crust that is pre-baked for just a few minutes before the cheesecake custard is poured in.

For these dainty little cheesecakes, a simple garnish is all that is required. Top each mini cheesecake with a quarter wedge of strawberry or other perfect berry and you will have an impressive dessert for a buffet or dessert tray. Bonus Technique:  I have included a simple technique to make your own white chocolate garnishes as pictured in the photographs below.  I hope you will enjoy trying these White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes.

White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes | urbnspice.com

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A Unique Cheesecake

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I love a challenge.  When asked to create a recipe for a cheesecake competition that was required to be A Unique Cheesecake, included chocolate as an ingredient and one that could be used as a showstopper dessert – I was in!   Creating dessert recipes is something that I am always up for.  How could I resist?   This recipe has been adapted from my book, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious” – Cakes. I am very pleased with the results.

A Unique Cheesecake: Double Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake | urbnspice.com

Double Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake 

The reason this cheesecake recipe is unique is that this cheesecake features a baked ganache. It also includes just a touch of flour, not typically found in cheesecakes. The addition of the flour results in a cheesecake that has a silky texture unlike any I have ever had. It was such a beauty to cut into gorgeous clean-edged portions, as well.

This recipe is a winner in our household. It also did very well in the cheesecake competition.  It will be a showstopper in your house, as well.

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Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series by UrbnSpice

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Hello, there!  Did you know that Urb’n’Spice has written four books called the Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series?  The books are all about Chocolate Desserts and have just about every dessert imaginable.

Book One – Cakes

Book Two – Cookies, Brownies and Squares

Book Three – Pies and Tarts

Book Four – Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts

Here is a more detailed information about the series, “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious.”  I am quite proud of these books – it was a bucket list goal to write a cookbook after slowing down a bit from an amazing career as a pastry chef and chef.

Chocolate Desserts from the Cookbook Series | urbnspice.com

A few photos from Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious Cookbook Series | urbnspice.com

These recipes have been created, collected and treasured from my career. They have been lovingly tested and retested until they were perfect – for you, my reader.  I have a group of special folks that I call my taste testers – they enjoyed their ‘work’ throughout my cookbook process of baking, testing, tasting and writing these books.

 

Here is how you can get more information about my Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series cookbooks:

  1. Click on the links provided below to get detailed information (affiliate link). The books link to my Amazon (Canada) page.

If you purchase a copy – well, I thank you!  This will enable me to continue to share recipes and information with you on this blog.   I appreciate your support very much.  I am hoping to self-publish my books one day when funds will allow.  At this time, my books are available as e-books on Amazon.ca.  All four books have received very good reviews, which you can read when you click on the links provided.

Thanks for visiting – I am so glad that you did.  If you have made one of the recipes from my books, kindly leave me a comment. Even better, please leave a review on Amazon.ca.  You can read the reviews on Amazon.com – they do not carry over to Amazon.ca.   I would love to hear what you think of my books.

Book One:

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cakes

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious - Cakes | urbnspice.com

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cakes!

Book Two:

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Cookies, Brownies and Squares

Chocolate Desserts - Cookies, Brownies & Squares | urbnspice.com

Book Three: 

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Pies and Tarts

Chocolate Desserts - Pies and Tarts | urbnspice.com

Book Four:

Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious – Gluten-Free Chocolate Desserts

Chocolate Gluten Free Desserts | urbnspice.com

Or just CLICK on any of the book covers on my blog page www.urbnspice.com  (to the right side of this post).  This will take you directly to the Amazon site where you can read the reviews from folks who have purchased my book as well as introductions of my books from my colleagues.

That is all about my Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series.  Thanks for visiting – I am really glad you did!  The photo below shows one of the most popular recipes in the series – Quadruple Chocolate Brownies.  They are so popular that I re-engineered the recipe to also be included in Book Four – Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts.  Looks yummy, right?

Quadruple Chocolate Brownie | urbnspice.com

Quadruple Chocolate Brownie – this award-winning Recipe is included in Book 2 – Cookies, Brownies and Squares as well as Book 4 – Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts 

A Pastry Chef’s Mantra:

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.

Autograph your work with excellence.”

Unknown

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

 

Denise  Paré-Watson

The  Urbnspice  Chef

 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and check out what’s happening on Pinterest

Here are the links:

Email:        urbnspice@gmail.com

Website:        Urbnspice

Author Page:  Denise’s Author Page

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Urbnspice

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/urbnspice

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/urbnspice/

About me:  http://about.me/urbnspice/#

Facebook:  I Love Chocolate page

 

Lavender Rose Mini Cheesecakes

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The Inspiration of Urbnspice Series

When I develop a recipe, there is often something pertinent behind its creation that has inspired me.  Here is the story behind the creation of this special little cake called Lavender Rose Mini Cheesecakes.

Everyone has fond food memories and for me, growing up in a large French Canadian family, I have many precious memories. Family gatherings were frequent and boisterous affairs – full of the happy chatter of young children playing and the elderly family members speaking in typical friendly and demonstrative manner.

Our extended family included many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. One of my Mom’s sisters is aptly named Rose and she was famous for bringing her famous Poppy Seed Cake to every family gathering.  We all looked forward to having a little slice of this heavenly cake.Lavender-Rose Cheesecake | urbnspice.com

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Urbnspice Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series

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Do you love Chocolate?  Me, too!  So much so that I decided to write a book (or two) all about chocolate.  Did you know that UrbnSpice has a Cookbook Series of four cookbooks called, Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious, including one dedicated entirely to Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts?

Chocolate Desserts Cookbook series | urbnspice.com

UrbnSpice Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series

The books are all about Chocolate Desserts and have just about every dessert imaginable.  I have covered everything from cookies, to squares to elegant chocolate desserts.  There are Learning Tips included in my recipes, as well as variations of the recipes to create additional desserts under the headings, “What Else Can I Do With This Recipe?”  Here are the names of the Volumes:

Book One – Cakes

Book Two – Cookies, Brownies and Squares

Book Three – Pies and Tarts

Book Four – Gluten Free Chocolate Desserts

The series is called “Chocolate Desserts Made Easy and Delicious.”  I am quite proud of these books – it was a bucket list goal to write a cookbook after slowing down a bit from an amazing career as a pastry chef and chef.

Click here to find out more information.

Yours, in all things chocolate!

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

Denise  Paré-Watson

The  Urbnspice  Chef

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and check out what’s happening on Pinterest

Here are the links:

Email:        urbnspice@gmail.com

Website:        Urbnspice

Author Page:  Denise’s Author Page

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Urbnspice

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/urbnspice

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/urbnspice/

About me:  http://about.me/urbnspice/#

Facebook:  I Love Chocolate page

Raspberry Hearts Cheesecake

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Happy Heart Month!  Everyone knows that February is the month of romance. On St. Valentine’s Day, we traditionally give loved ones gifts or candy or chocolate. What better way to show someone you care than to make cheesecake – everyone’s favourite!  Cheesecake of any kind certainly is a favourite of mine.   I thought I would share one of them with you – Raspberry Hearts Cheesecake.

This cheesecake was created when I was a Pastry Chef-de-Partie at a high-end hotel in Calgary, Alberta as a special feature for their Valentine’s Day dessert feature in their famous restaurant.  I had fun with this one.  It ended up to be so popular that the cheesecake itself was then put on the new room service menu.

Individual Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake | urbnspice.com

Individual Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake 

Raspberry Hearts Cheesecake

CHEF TALK:  Make this extraordinary individual cheesecake for someone special. My favourite way to serve this type of dessert for special occasions is to make individual cheesecakes, however, the recipe will also make one 9 inch springform pan.  It is shown in the photo with Coeur a la creme and mango coulis, and heart-shaped tuile cookie holding raspberry sorbet.  

I think that you will enjoy making the following cheesecake recipe as much as you will enjoy receiving it. It is a recipe that has been adapted from my favourite pastry chef, Anna Olson. The hint of coconut and lime to the graham crust ingredients makes this cheesecake quite special.

Raspberry Hearts Cheesecake Recipe:

Yield: 1 – 9” springform pan,
or 12 individual portions
Crust:
Flour, all-purpose 1 1/3 cups
Graham crumbs 1 1/3 cups
Coconut, unsweetened 1 1/3 cups
Sugar 3 tbsp.
Lime zest 2 tsp.
Butter, unsalted, melted 1 cup
Cheesecake filling:
Cream cheese, room temp. 1 lb. or two 8 oz. packages
Sugar 2/3 cup
Flour, all-purpose 2  tbsp.
Salt 1/8 tsp.
Raspberry puree ½ cup
Sour cream, plain Greek Yogurt or Creme Fraiche 2 tbsp.
Lemon juice 1 tbsp.
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 1 tbsp.
Eggs 3
Raspberry Swirl:
Raspberry puree ½ cup
Sugar 3 tbsp.
Egg yolk 1

METHOD:

  1. For the Crust:  Combine flour, graham crumbs, coconut, sugar and zest in a medium-sized bowl.  Stir in the melted butter.
  2. Press into bottom and sides of small ring molds. (I used 3-inch rings)
  3. Bake for 5 minutes at 350F until browned around edges.  Allow the crusts to cool.
  4. For the Cheesecake Filling:  In a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.  Add the sugar, flour and salt.   Scrape the sides of the bowl and blend a little longer to a smooth consistency.
  5. Add the raspberry puree, sour cream, lemon juice and vanilla.  Blend well (it should be lump- free).  Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until very smooth.  Pour into cooled crusts.
  6. For the Raspberry Swirl: combine swirl ingredients together in a small bowl.  Drizzle this mixture over cheesecake and swirl or create a design.  For the hearts, put a drop of puree onto the cheesecake mixture and draw a toothpick from top to bottom to form a heart.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.  Let the cheesecakes cool to room temperature.  Chill. Garnish as desired.

NOTES: 

  •  The cheesecakes freeze well
  • You can use any fruit puree for this recipe – peach puree is wonderful

Do  you recall the sweet little love poem inside so many Valentine’s greetings card?
“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue……………..”

When I was researching for this post, I found this endearing original version of that same rhyme:

The original Valentine’s Day Love Poem:

“The rose is red, the violet’s blue,

The honey’s sweet, and so are you.

Thou art my love and I am thine;

I drew thee to my Valentine:

The lot was cast and then I drew,

And Fortune said it shou’d be you.”

English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton’s Garland (1784)

Happy Heart Month! Don’t forget to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation during Heart Month.

LEARNING TIPS:  

Please CLICK the link above to access my UrbnSpice LEARNING TIPS, which are listed alphabetically on the Learning Tips blog post under the following subheadings:

  • Creaming
  • Oven Temperature Accuracy
  • Straining
  • Vanilla Extract
    __________

You Might Also Like:

White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Mini Cheesecakes

Lavender Rose Mini Cheesecakes

Double Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake – A Unique Cheesecake

Chocolate Desserts Cookbook Series by The Urbnspice Chef

As always, if you give this recipe for Raspberry Hearts Cheesecake a try, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback.

You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy! 

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

 

Denise Paré-Watson

The Urbnspice Chef

 

 

Follow me on Social Media:

Urbnspice Facebook Page – If you like what you see here, please LIKE my page. I would love that – thank you!

Urbnspice is on Twitter    

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