MINI CARROT CAKE CHEESECAKES W/ CREAM CHEESE ICING
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FOR THE CRUST:
¼ cup toasted pecans
4 whole graham crackers, finely ground (about 1/2 cup)
2 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
1½ Tbs granulated sugar
1/8 tsp salt
FOR THE CHEESECAKE:
½ Tbs unsalted butter
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely grated
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp salt
¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
ICING:
One 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
Marzipan carrots, for garnish (optional)
1. Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Pulse pecans and graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Place in a medium bowl and stir in butter, sugar and salt.
2. Press a spoonful of crumb mixture into the bottom of each mini cheesecake tin (the kind with the removeable bottoms). Bake until golden brown and slightly firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Don’t overbake or the pecans will begin to burn. Let cool on wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
3. Prepare the cheesecake: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots, ¼ cup of sugar, and cook, stirring often, until carrots are soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer with pan juices to a bowl, and let cool.
4. Beat cream cheese and remaining ½ cup of sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add carrots and pan juices, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, salt and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. Spoon on top of crusts to about ¾ full.
5. Bake until set, about 18 to 22 minutes- watch closely and pull out of the oven when the cheesecakes are set (touch the tops and make sure they’re not jiggly, but firm).
6. Transfer pans to a rack and let cool. Refrigerate until ready to frost.
7. Prepare icing: Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Place a heaping teaspoonful on top of each cheesecake and spread gently to cover the tops.
Yield: About 24 mini cheesecakes
Cooking Tips
*You can always make these without the icing, but it adds a fun and delicious element to the dessert that is unexpected on a cheesecake.
Recipe Source: Adapted from Martha Stewart Living
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Such cute, little desserts. Great Easter treat with the marzipan carrots!
-San Diego, CA
