When it comes to desserts, cream cheese is a superstar. Its smooth and rich texture, along with its tanginess takes ingredients and transforms them into tantalizing creations that delight our taste buds. In today’s culinary realm, cream cheese desserts are more than just treats; they offer unforgettable experiences. From the New York cheesecakes to the pastries found in patisseries worldwide, cream cheese-based desserts showcase the versatility of this ingredient and its ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.
In this article, we explore few dessert recipes that feature cream cheese as a star ingredient. These recipes are not only mouth-watering but also simple enough for you to recreate in your kitchen. Each recipe promises a journey that will leave you amazed.
Recipe 1: The Classic New York Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of graham crackers
- 1/2 cup of melted butter
- 4 packs (8 ounces each) of softened cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
Steps:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Start by mixing gram crackers and melted butter, then press the mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until it becomes smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring in vanilla and sour cream well. Pour this mixture over the crust.
- Bake for 55 minutes or until the center is almost set. Once done allow it to cool before refrigerating.
- To enhance its flavor, you can pair it with a berry compote. Drizzle some caramel sauce on top.
Recipe 2: Red Velvet Cream Cheese Brownies
Here are the ingredients:
- Red velvet cake mix
- Melted butter (1/2 cup)
- Milk (1/3 cup)
- An egg
- Cream cheese (8 oz)
- Sugar (1/3 cup)
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp).
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine cake mix, melted butter, milk and an egg in a bowl. Spread this mixture in a greased baking pan.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese along with sugar and vanilla extract until it turns creamy in texture.
- Drop spoonfuls of this mixture over the batter, in the baking pan. Gently swirl them around for added visual appeal.
- Bake for around 25 to 30 minutes before allowing it to cool down before slicing into brownie squares.
- For an extra touch, when serving these brownies accompany them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recipe 3: Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup of cold butter
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
- Juice from about half a cup of lemons
- 8 oz block of cream cheese
Steps:
- Start by combining the all-purpose flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the butter until it forms a mixture. Press this into a baking dish. Bake it at a temperature of 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until it turns golden brown.
- In a bowl beat the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice and cream cheese together until they are well combined. Once everything is mixed thoroughly, pour this mixture over the crust from step one.
- Put the baking dish back in the oven. Bake for another 25 minutes or until the center is set. Once done baking, let it cool down completely before refrigerating it for a while to chill. Before serving, you can lightly dust some sugar on top to add an extra touch of sweetness if desired.
- For an experience, try serving these Cream Cheese Lemon Bars alongside a comforting cup of Earl Grey tea.
Recipe 4: Cream Cheese Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients:
- Softened 8 oz block of cream cheese
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 and a half cups worth sweet chocolate chips
- A teaspoonful amount of vanilla extract
Steps:
- Begin by beating the cream cheese until it reaches a smooth consistency. Gradually, add in the sugar making sure to mix after each addition. Once combined, incorporate the melted chocolate and vanilla extract into the mixture.
- After completing step one, refrigerate the mixture until it becomes firm enough to handle. Once chilled, shape portions of the mixture, into balls. Roll them in cocoa powder, nuts or sprinkles for a delightful finishing touch.
- Return these truffles to the refrigerator. Let them chill until you are ready to serve them.
- These truffles pair wonderfully with a glass of wine.
Recipe 5: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups of all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 can (15 ounces) of pumpkin puree
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Steps:
- Combine the flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt together. In a bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, sugars, eggs and oil.
- Fill the muffin cups with the pumpkin batter. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract. Spoon dollops on top and swirl them in.
- Bake at a temperature of about 375°F (190°C), for approximately 18 to 20 minutes. Allow them to cool before serving.
- These muffins are perfect to enjoy alongside a delicious chai latte.
Recipe 6: Cream Cheese Icing Topped Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 2 beaten eggs
- 2 and a third cups of overripe bananas
- 4 ounces of cream cheese
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Begin by mixing the all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt together. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar then add the beaten eggs and mashed bananas.
- Combine both mixtures thoroughly, before pouring them into a loaf pan. Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for one hour.
- While the bread is cooling, prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Once the bread has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over its surface.
- Serve your Cream Cheese Icing Topped Banana Bread alongside a steaming cup of coffee.
In conclusion
By adding cream cheese to your desserts, you can elevate them from ordinary to extraordinary. Each recipe mentioned above offers a combination of flavors and textures that exemplify the versatility and decadence that cream cheese brings to these treats. Whether its indulging in a New York cheesecake with its richness or savoring a raspberry cream cheese tart with its innovative fusion flavors these desserts are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries them. Alright, get ready to get your hands dirty, warm up that oven and get ready for a mouthwatering experience as you indulge in these cream cheese creations.