Description
Heavenly cherry cheesecake fluff dances between creamy indulgence and light, airy perfection. Sweet cherries and velvety cream cheese create a delightful dessert that melts on your palate, promising pure bliss with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy:
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Fruits and Sweeteners:
- 2 cups fresh cherries
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cherry liqueur
Base and Binding:
- 1 package graham cracker crumbs
- 3 sheets gelatin
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the foundation by melting butter and combining with graham cracker crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly into a springform pan to create a crisp, golden base that will support the luscious cheesecake fluff.
- Bloom gelatin in cold water, ensuring no lumps form, which will provide structural stability to the dessert’s delicate texture.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks emerge, creating a pillowy volume that will contribute to the ethereal lightness of the dessert.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and velvety, gradually incorporating powdered sugar to develop a rich, creamy consistency.
- Fold sour cream and vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, introducing subtle depth and tangy undertones.
- Gently dissolve bloomed gelatin over low heat, then carefully integrate into the cream cheese mixture, maintaining a silky uniform texture.
- Delicately fold whipped cream into the stabilized cream cheese base, creating a cloud-like, airy composition.
- Macerate fresh cherries with cherry liqueur, allowing them to release their vibrant, intense flavors and become gloriously soft.
- Layer the fluffy mixture over the graham cracker crust, alternating with cherry pie filling and macerated fresh cherries for complex flavor dimensions.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours at 38°F, allowing the dessert to set and flavors to harmonize completely.
- Before serving, garnish with additional fresh cherries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Make the graham cracker crust extra crispy by baking it for 5-7 minutes before adding the filling, which enhances the textural contrast.
- Replace graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for those with dietary restrictions.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt as substitutes to reduce overall calorie content without compromising the creamy texture.
- Swap fresh cherries with frozen varieties during off-season months, ensuring the dessert remains deliciously consistent year-round.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 332
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 197 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg