Monday, May 2, 2011

MASCARPONE LEMON RIPPLE CHEESECAKE

lemon ripple cheesecake (6)

This is one of those cheesecakes that steals the show.  Maybe not for its beauty – I wound up covering the unbecoming top that cracked, and the lemon ripples turned out to be the same color as the cheesecake itself, making for a boring-looking dessert.  But once you sink your teeth into this baby, you’ll be singing its praises.  The New-York style creaminess and firm texture, the perfect blending of lemon and vanilla flavors, and the addition of creamy mascarpone to tangy cream cheese combine to make this one memorable dessert.  And, believe it or not, the topping, which also serves as a sauce to be passed around, really adds another dimension of goodness to an already great taste experience.  Try this one for sure.... you won’t be sorry.

lemon ripple cheesecake (5)

Mascarpone Lemon Ripple Cheesecake
Inspired by Food & Wine and Elinor Klivans
Rating:  9.5 out of 10
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CRUST:  2 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Heat oven to 325F.  Grease an 8” springform pan on bottom and sides.  Combine ingredients in medium bowl and blend with fork; press onto bottom and 3/4 up sides of prepared pan.  Bake 10 minutes, or till very lightly browned and set.  Cool on wire rack.
lemon ripple cheesecake (2)  

CHEESECAKE FILLING:
8 oz. mascarpone
16 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese or Neufchatel
1 cup sugar  (I used 1/2 cup sugar + 2 Tbsp. NuNaturals Stevia)
3 large eggs
3 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I used homemade)
1 cup purchased or homemade lemon curd

Increase oven heat to 350F.  Combine mascarpone, cream cheese and sugar in work bowl of food processor.  Pulse till smooth, about 1 minute.  Add eggs, one at a time, pulsing till blended after each.  Add cream, flour and vanilla and pulse till just blended.  Pour into crumb-lined pan.  Drop spoonfuls of lemon curd over filling and swirl with knife.
  
lemon ripple cheesecake (3) 

Place cheesecake in oven on a baking sheet, close door and immediately reduce oven heat to 300F.  Bake 1 hour 15 minutes, or till cheesecake is lightly browned on edges and almost set in middle.  Off heat, leaving cheesecake in oven for 15 minutes.  Cool on wire rack 3 hours, or till cheesecake is room temperature. 

lemon ripple cheesecake (4)

Place in fridge, uncovered, for 2 hours, or till cold.  Cover with plastic wrap and leave overnight in fridge.  Spread Mascarpone lemon curd topping over cheesecake.  Pass extra topping to guests in small bowl.  Yield:  6 servings

MASCARPONE LEMON CURD TOPPING: 
2 oz. Mascarpone
1/2 cup lemon curd
1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Combine mascarpone, lemon curd and sugar in medium bowl and beat with electric mixer on medium speed till smooth and well combined, about 3 minutes.  Gradually add cream and  beat on medium high, then on high, until mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

lemon ripple cheesecake

6 comments:

teresa said...

oh wow, this is gorgeous, i love the mascarpone!

Diane said...

I have yet to try a cheese cake that I do not like but this looks exceptional. Diane

The Food Hound said...

Mascarpone? Check. Lemon curd? Check. Two of my favorite foods in the same dish. Life is good :)

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

OH MY... this looks AMAZING. What a great idea to use Mascarpone... i will be all over this! Great post

Debbie said...

Wow Judy...that cheesecake looks wonderful! I love the sauce on top!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

wow! awesome recipe, Judy. Trust me, I'm making this cheesecake!