Herbed Cheesecake Appetizer Recipes

SAVORY CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of four 4-inch springform pans with nonstick spray.
• Mix the cracker crumbs, butter and pecans in a medium bowl until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pans. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool the pans on a rack.
• Once completely cool, spray the sides of the pans with cooking spray and line with strips of parchment.
• For the Cheddar-pimento cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, pimentos, Worcestershire, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied bacon and scallion greens.
• For the blue cheese cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, blue cheese, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the dates and shallots. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
• For the mozzarella-basil cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the chopped basil. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the cherry tomatoes, drizzles of balsamic syrup and olive oil and a sprig of basil.
• For the goat cheese-herb cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, goat cheese, cream, parsley, rosemary, lemon zest, Worcestershire to taste and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spread the jam over top. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment.

HERBED CHEESECAKE APPETIZER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the crust ingredients. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and flour until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, onion, pepperoni, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper sauce. Pour into crust., Bake at 325° for 45-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool l hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with crackers.

HERBED CHEESECAKE (SAVORY STYLE CHEESECAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Take the cracker crumbs, the first of the parmesan cheese and the butter and mix together in a small springform pan.
• Press crust all along the bottom and up sides about one inch.
• Bake crust about 10-15 mins or until you start to smell that it's "done" (trust me, you'll know- the cheese starts to get toasty- mine was done after 12 mins).
• While it's baking, prepare cheesecake.
• Mix the cream cheese, whipping cream, and eggs together.
• Add in the parmesan, swiss, green onions, and whatever herbs of choice you plan on using.
• Pour into crust.
• Bake for about 45 minutes (oven times of course vary).

SAVORY HERB CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350. Line the bottom of an 8x3-inch springform pan with nonstick foil and coat sides with nonstick spray.
• Crust: Pulse pecans and breadcrumbs in food processor until nuts are finely ground. Add butter; pulse until mixture forms moist, coarse crumbs. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 8-10 minutes, until crust is set and pale golden. Cool on wire rack. Raise oven temperature to 425.
• Filling: Beat cream cheese, goat cheese, sour cream and Parmesan in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in eggs until smooth, then remaining filling ingredients until incorporated. Pour into prepared crust and smooth the top.
• Place pan in oven; reduce temperature to 325. Bake 45-50 minutes until light golden on top and set in the middle. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate. To serve, let cheesecake come to room temperature. Remove sides from pan; slide cheesecake from bottom of pan onto serving plate, removing foil. Garnish with dill and cherry tomato halves.

HERBED CHEESE PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, mix together Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, mayonnaise, basil, oregano, green onions and garlic.
• Separate each unbaked biscuit vertically into 3 pieces. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese mixture on each piece.
• Arrange pieces in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 10 to 12 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm!

SAVORY SUMMER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter a 9-inch springform pan well.
• Start the filling: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Saute peppers and onions with a large pinch of salt until onions just start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
• While the pepper mixture is cooling, prepare the crust: Combine crushed cracker crumbs, dried Italian herbs, and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Stir until crumbs are coated.
• Transfer the buttered crumbs into the prepared springform pan and press down into an even layer. Set aside until needed.
• Continue the filling: Combine eggs, flour, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and sugar in a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the creme fraiche, cream cheese, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and mix until smooth. Stir in parsley, tarragon, thyme, and cooled pepper mixture until evenly combined.
• Transfer cheese mixture into the prepared springform pan. Tap the pan gently to settle the contents and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the lower center of the preheated oven until a skewer poked into the center comes out clean, 60 to 75 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and carefully remove the ring.
• Cheesecake should be thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator before serving, about 2 hours. Cheesecake can be served at room temperature, but it will not have the classic smooth, firm cheesecake texture, and will be more like a very light cheese quiche.