Keto Cheesecake Muffins

Hello there! Long long time no see! I've been around, just not on my blog, but you can catch me almost daily on IG  if you're hungry or want to see what I'm up to! 

So you may or  may not know, I have been attempting the low carb/keto diet since last summer, with great results (it does wonders for diabetics!) and though most of it is pretty much meat, veggies and healthy fats, we can have desserts too! I love desserts! Most of my blog is probably full of sweets. Well, I found a great low carb, keto friendly, gluten free cheesecake recipe I just had to share with you!

This recipe can be made with really any flavor you like, I've made chocolate chip and berry ones so far. The berry ones reminded me so much of this old recipe I used to make! The crust in these are simply chopped nuts. The filling bakes up just like a real cheesecake, nice and creamy. No one will ever know they're better for you! They've become my favorite!

Keto Cheesecake Muffins 
adapted from Kasey Trenum

16 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated Erythritol sweetener
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar free Chocolate Chips or bar, chopped (or blueberries and raspberries)
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350' degrees.
Line 12 muffin tins with parchment muffin liners (trust me, you'll love these!).
Using a mixer to beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add eggs, Erythritol and vanilla then beat again on medium speed until thoroughly combined. Fold in chocolate (or berries) by hand.  Add 1 tablespoon (I just use a good pinch amount) of chopped pecans to the bottom of each muffin tin. Fill muffin tins with cheesecake batter approx 2/3 full, I use an ice cream scooper for a perfect amount). Bake for 18-20 minutes. Best served cold.

enjoy,
Rachelle

Trust me on these parchment liners!! 

Inside is nice and creamy smooth!

Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

These were my treat for my work's Christmas party potluck table. I made two so I could also bring some to family. They all loved it and I wish I made one gluten free so I could have a piece. I have added in gluten free adaptions if you're eating GF. These would be a great dessert for your New Years Eve party!

Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

Crust:
2 cups finely ground graham crackers (could use gluten free)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 TBL granulated sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
2 (8-ounce) cream cheese blocks, softened
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pint (16oz) sour cream
1 lemon, zested
2 tsp. vanilla extract 

Topping:

1 can apple pie filling 

1/4 cup caramel sauce/topping

Streusel Topping, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9x13 with non-stick cooking spray (I also add parchment so that I can pick it up out of the pan for easier cutting).

For the crust:
In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened (I just used my food processor).
Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not over beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Set a large roasting pan with 1" water on bottom oven rack, place cheesecake on middle rack. Bake for 30 minutes. 

In a bowl combine the apple pie filling and caramel.

Carefully add apple topping to the cheesecake then add the streusel topping* and bake for another 30 minutes.

The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Turn off the oven, crack the door open with a wooden spoon handle and let the cheesecake sit for 30 minutes. 
Remove from oven to cooling rack, let cool in pan for 30 more minutes. Cover with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator, for at least 4 hours. Cut into bars.

Streusel Topping: 
adapted from Paula Deen
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (could use gluten free blend)
1/4 cup quick cooking oats (could use gluten free)
4 TBL butter, softened 

 In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

We recently had a birthday in our family, the big 15! She loves cheesecake and red velvet cake so when I saw this, I was happy she wanted it. I made this in 3 days, different stages (I didn't want to be rushed) so keep that in mind if you decide to make one too. For mine, I decided to do a cream cheese frosting, decorated as roses, something new for me, any little spaces I filled in with a flower dollop. This went over so well, family raved about it, AND some had seconds!! No, I couldn't have any, but that's ok my birthday is next and I WILL have cake. :)

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake
Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking Yield: 11-13 pieces

Crust Ingredients:
32 chocolate cream sandwich cookies, finely processed into crumbs
5 1/3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Small pinch of salt

Ganache Ingredients:
3/4 cups heavy cream
10 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Cake Ingredients:
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 egg
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
1 ounce red food coloring

Filling Ingredients:
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs

Note on scheduling: This cake is easily separated into two days of preparation, and can be prepared ahead of time. On day one, prepare the red velvet cake, cool it, and freeze it. On day two, prepare the cheesecake. You can then assemble and decorate right away, or leave this for day three.

Make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom and the sides of an 9-inch round cake pan (I used my springform pan) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides to make it easier to lift the cake out of the pan when it’s done. Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Make a paste of the cocoa and coloring and add to the shortening mixture. Add salt and vanilla. Add buttermilk alternately with the flour, beginning and ending with flour. Mix vinegar and soda right before using and add to mixture by folding in. Pour batter into the cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely, cover in wax paper, and freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.

Make the cheesecake:
To make the crust, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet. Combine the chocolate cookie crumbs, melted butter and salt in a small bowl. Toss with a fork to moisten all of the crumbs. Press into a thin layer covering the bottom and sides of the springform pan (at least 3 inches up the sides).

Make the ganache:
Bring the cream to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl. Once the cream reaches a simmer, pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand 1-2 minutes. Whisk in small circles until a smooth ganache has formed. Pour 1 – 1.5 cups of the ganache over the bottom of the crust. Freeze until the ganache layer is firm, about 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining ganache for garnishing if desired; cover and let stand at room temperature for later decorating.

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F and position a rack in the middle of the oven. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until well blended. Beat in the flour. Add in the vanilla and beat until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl between each addition.

Pour the filling over the cold ganache in the crust. Place the springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the top is lightly browned, puffed and cracked at the edges, and the center moves only very slightly when the pan is lightly shaken, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire cooling rack. Cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator and let cool at least 3 hours, until completely chilled and set (it’ll sink as it cools).

Assemble the cheesecake:
Carefully remove the cheesecake from the springform. Transfer the cake to a serving platter. . Then place your red velvet cake layer on top of cheesecake (right side up). If for some reason you seem that your cake layer will stick up beyond your crust, you can use a long serrated knife to reduce its width (freezing it first makes it easier to cut). Decorate top of cake as desired. (I used a double batch of cream cheese frosting in roses).

Please share this post if you liked it. =)

enjoy,

Berry Festive Cheesecake {Gluten Free}

I haven't make a cheesecake in so long that I decided I would for 4th of July dessert. To make it more festive I went with a mixed berry topping and swirl. Red, white and blue. I used my favorite cheesecake recipe but turned it gluten free so I didn't have to miss out. Really just made the crust gluten free then I lightened it up using lighter versions of Ingredients and used less sugar in the recipe. This came out just as good as the regular recipe, I even shared a big piece with our carpet cleaning guy for coming by last minute (my cleaner broke!).

Berry Festive Cheesecake {Gluten Free}
adapted from my regular gluten cheesecake post

Crust:
2 cups finely ground gluten free cinnamon sugar graham crackers (-use food processor)
2 TBL granulated sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
2 (8-ounce) Neufchatel cream cheese blocks, softened
3 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 pint (16oz) light sour cream
1 lemon, zested
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Berry Topping, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8-inch spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray.

For the crust:
In a mixing bowl, combine the ingredients with a fork until evenly moistened (I just used my food processor).
Pour the crumbs into the pan and, using the bottom of a measuring cup or the smooth bottom of a glass, press the crumbs down into the base and 1-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

For the Filling:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute until smooth and free of any lumps. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat until creamy, for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. The batter should be well-mixed but not over beaten. Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

For a swirled cheesecake, drop tablespoon fulls (maybe 6) of cooled berry topping mixture juice onto cheesecake batter, swirl with a butter knife.

Set a large roasting pan with 1" water on bottom oven rack, place cheesecake on middle rack. Bake for 60 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle (it will firm up after chilling), so be careful not to overcook. Turn off the oven, crack the door open with a wooden spoon handle and let the cheesecake sit in there for 30 minutes. Remove from oven to cooling rack, let cool in pan for 30 more minutes.

Cover with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator, for at least 4 hours. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Unmold and transfer to a cake plate. Using a spatula spread a layer of desired topping over the surface.
Slice the cheesecake with a thin, non-serrated knife that has been dipped in hot water. Wipe dry after each cut.

Topping:
2 C frozen mixed berries
3/4 C sugar
3 TBL cornstarch
pinch salt
1 tsp Vanilla extract
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add berries and stir well. Heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it boils reduce heat and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat,  stir in vanilla. Allow to cool, refrigerate until ready to use.

as seen from my instagram

a sheet of homemade gluten free cinnamon sugar grahams

swirled, ready to bake

berry swirled cheesecake

topped

Please share this post if you liked it. =)

enjoy,

Oreo Cheesecake Bars

I recently met up with two of my High School friends I haven't seen in 21 years. We all lived in Hawaii at the time (Go Rams!) but we've talked a lot of Facebook over the last couple years. We met at my place for dinner and dessert as we flipped through my year books wondering where so and so was now. It was great seeing them again, and didn't seem like it had been 21 yrs.

I grilled some steaks and grilled corn on the cob and had my baked beans for dinner. I wanted to keep dessert fairly simple, something I could make ahead of time. I choose these Oreo cheesecake bars. YUM! I mad them the night before so they had lots of time to chill and become even better. I read the reviews of other bakers, saying it needed more Oreos, so I used about 1 1/2 pkgs all together (using a little more for crust and mixing into the batter and topping). It's a good thing are just bars, you can cut them to whatever size, but I'll warn ya, these are rich! A little slice is all you need.

Oreo Cheesecake Barsslightly adapted from Kraft

1 1/2 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz. pkg size) OREO Cookies, divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup Sour Cream
4 Eggs

HEAT oven to 325ºF.

LINE 13x9-inch pan with parchment paper, with ends of parchment extending over sides. Process 40 cookies in food processor until finely ground. Add butter; mix well. Press onto bottom of pan.

BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each. Chop remaining cookies; stir 1-1/2 cups (or more) into batter. Pour over crust; top with remaining chopped cookies.

BAKE 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours. Use foil handles to lift cheesecake from pan before cutting to serve.

sharing a bar at:



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enjoy,