Individual Maple And Mascarpone Cheesecakes Recipes

MAPLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 325˚. Combine the crushed cookies, melted butter and salt in a large bowl. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan. Bake until golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a rack; let cool 20 to 30 minutes.
• Make the filling: Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the maple sugar and beat, scraping down the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the sour cream. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. Beat in the maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
• Brush the side of the pan above the crust with melted butter. Wrap the outside of the pan (bottom and halfway up the side) with foil to prevent leaks; set in a large roasting pan. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
• Transfer the cheesecake in the roasting pan to the oven and carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan so it comes about halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake until the edges of the cheesecake are set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven and open the door for 5 seconds to let out some heat. Close the oven door and leave the cheesecake in the oven until fully set on top but the center still jiggles slightly, about 1 hour.
• Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and remove the foil. Transfer to a rack and let cool 2 hours in the pan. Run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen (do not remove the springform ring), then cover and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 8 hours or overnight. Serve with maple syrup for drizzling.

INDIVIDUAL MAPLE AND MASCARPONE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Butter twelve 3/4-cup custard cups. Sprinkle raw sugar in each buttered cup, turning to coat bottom and sides and tapping out excess raw sugar. Arrange prepared custard cups in large roasting pan.
• Bring maple syrup to boil in heavy large deep saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently until maple syrup is reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes (syrup will bubble vigorously). Remove saucepan from heat and stir in whipping cream (mixture will bubble up high). Return saucepan to medium heat and simmer until any crystallized bits dissolve and mixture is reduced to 1 cup, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then beat in vanilla extract. Add mascarpone cheese and beat just until blended and smooth. Add cooled maple syrup mixture to cheese mixture and beat until well blended.
• Pour batter into prepared custard cups, dividing equally. Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of custard cups. Bake until cheesecakes are light golden on top and centers move slightly when custard cups are gently shaken, about 1 hour. Cool in water bath 15 minutes. Remove custard cups from water bath. Refrigerate uncovered overnight. (Cheesecakes can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated.)
• Run small sharp knife around sides of cheesecakes to loosen. Place dessert plate atop 1 cheesecake. Invert cheesecake onto plate; shake gently to release. Repeat with remaining cheesecakes. Garnish each with fresh berries and fresh mint sprigs, if desired. Serve cold.