The Tuscaloosa News

Easy white chocolate raspberry cheesecake squares

- Aimee Blume

This is a delicious summer dessert that is easy to make, beautiful and only takes a few minutes in the oven.

When choosing white chocolate, make sure to get actual white chocolate made with cocoa butter, and not simply white, vanilla-flavored chips. Ghirardell­i Premium white chocolate baking bars are available at most larger groceries and work well.

We adjusted this recipe to be made in

Makes one 13-by-18 sheet pan Parchment paper, pan spray

For the crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1⁄2 cup sugar

1 stick butter, melted

For white chocolate cheesecake filling:

15 ounces real white chocolate, chopped 3 8-oz packages cream cheese,

a sheet pan because it takes it less time to firm up. Refrigerat­e overnight or for at least 8 hours if possible, but in a pinch you can stick it in the freezer for a couple hours and it will be sliceable.

Use this all-purpose cheesecake to highlight any berries or fruits in season. Fresh strawberri­es or raspberrie­s will be great now. Later in the summer, top it with blackberri­es or sweet slices of fresh peaches.

If you wish to make the recipe glutenfree, simply choose gluten-free graham crackers, or use half gluten-free graham crackers and half ground nuts. softened

1 1⁄2 cups sifted powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

11⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream

Fresh raspberrie­s for garnish

Mint for garnish

Heat oven to 325°F. Place parchment paper on the bottom of your sheet pan and spray the sides.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter for the crust. Press onto the bottom of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Place in the freezer to cool completely before filling.

Melt the white chocolate for 1-2 minutes in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted, and set aside to cool to room temperatur­e.

In a food processor, mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the cooled white chocolate and vanilla and process.

In a large mixing bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. Add the cream cheese mixture and fold in gently. Remove crust from the freezer and spread in the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerat­e overnight to firm. Run a knife around the edge to loosen from the pan. Garnish with fresh raspberrie­s and mint to serve.

 ?? AIMEE BLUME/EVANSVILLE COURIER & PRESS ?? This quick and easy white chocolate cheesecake might be the perfect summer dessert.
AIMEE BLUME/EVANSVILLE COURIER & PRESS This quick and easy white chocolate cheesecake might be the perfect summer dessert.

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