Savory Cheesecake 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.

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.

SAVORY BLT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. , In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and cream until smooth. Beat in the bacon, tomatoes, Gruyere cheese, onions and pepper. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan. , Bake 45-55 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., Remove rim from pan. Serve cheesecake with toppings and crackers if desired.

SAVORY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, egg white, and the bagel chips. Press them into the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan. Bake for 8 minutes to crisp up. Remove from oven and cool. Reduce the heat to 250 degrees F.
• In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese, cornstarch, salt, and sour cream. Once combined, add the eggs. Fold in trout and chives. Pour the batter over the cooled crust. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven for an additional hour without opening the door. Cool on a rack for at least 4 hours. Carefully unmold. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

SAVOURY MINI CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Spray 3 miniature muffin trays with nonstick cooking spray.
• Process pretzels in food processor until very fine (consistency of dry bread crumbs). You should have ¾ cup crumbs. Mix with melted butter.
• Press 1 into bottom of each muffin cup. Bake in centre of preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until set.
• Beat cream cheese to blend.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until smooth. Beat in flour, pepper and sour cream.
• Divide mixture into 2 bowls.
• Stir ingredients for salmon filling into 1 bowl and Sun-dried Tomato and Olive filling into the other. Mix well. Spoon about 1 tbsp filling over each tart base. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or just until filling is set. Cool to room temperature on wire rack, then cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Run knife around edge of each cheesecake to loosen. Garnish with fresh dill or basil leaf before serving.

SAVOURY TICKLER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Uses a 20cm spring form cake tin, base lined with baking parchment and an oiled, baking sheet
• Preheat oven to Gas Mark 3/170C. Mix together the oatcakes and butter, then press into the cake tin, smoothing the surface with a spoon. Chill for at least 30 minutes
• Whisk together soft cheese, ricotta and eggs until smooth, then add two thirds of the Tickler, chives, thyme and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour into tin, and scatter over remaining Tickler. Place tin onto a baking sheet and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the cheesecake is slightly springy to the touch around the edges, and the centre is wobbly but not liquid. Remove from oven and leave to cool before chilling, preferably overnight to allow the flavours to develop.
• While the cheesecake is baking, place the shallots, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil into an oven proof dish and cook at the top of the oven for about 40 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and golden. Cool and chill until ready to serve.
• To serve, run a sharp knife around the inside of the cake tin, before removing the cheesecake from the tin. Transfer to a serving plate, carefully removing the baking parchment. Top with shallots and any cooking juices.

SAVORY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, egg white, and the bagel chips.
• Press them into the bottom of a 10" spring form pan.
• Bake for 8 minutes to crisp up.
• Remove from oven and cool.
• Reduce the heat to 250F.
• In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese, cornstarch, salt, and sour cream.
• Once combined, add the eggs.
• Fold in trout and chives.
• Pour the batter over the cooled crust.
• Bake for 1 hour.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cake in the oven for an additional hour without opening the door.
• Cool on a rack for at least 4 hours.
• Carefully unmold.
• Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.