Even today, cherry cheesecake still has a wide range of variations for what it qualifies as the iconic dessert. Graham crackers, pie crusts, and even sponge cake can be used for the crust, and the cheese inside isn't always cream cheese! There are recipes that substitute cream cheese for cottage cheese and do not use a crust. Cherry cheesecake is known for its cherries, which rest on top of the cake and are packed with vitamins and nutrients. In addition to being delicious, cherries are anti-inflammatory and packed with antioxidants!
History Of Cheesecakes
Ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the first cheesecake over 4,000 years ago, in the fifth century BC. Using fresh cheese pounded smooth with flour and honey, this rudimentary cheesecake was made. Before being enjoyed by the masses, the creation was baked on an earthenware griddle. The cheesecake was considered a good source of energy back then, and there is evidence that it was served to athletes during the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. The cheesecake was also a popular wedding dessert back then!
As Europe's late mediaeval ages progressed, cheesecake began to include a pastry base in the form of a tart. There are multiple variations of the cheesecake recipe included in the first English cookbook written in 1390. The English loved cheesecake so much that almost every cookbook included at least one recipe, signifying their love of the dessert for the next five centuries!
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Cheesecake made its way to the colonies of the United States because the English loved the delicacy. A tavern called "Cheesecake House" was founded in Philadelphia in the 1730s! One of the recipes in Martha Washington's prized and gifted cookbook is a cheesecake without a crust. Other flavours included rosewater and spices. During the 19th century, cheesecake recipes began to incorporate more subtle ingredients like lemon and vanilla.
From the 1930s, Americanised cheesecake changed drastically. With the phase-out of curd cheese, cream cheese is a more decadent, creamier, and tastier alternative. It takes only a few minutes to make this cherry cheesecake pop from scratch. This is the perfect dessert if you’re looking for a show-stopping treat for your child's party.
Ingredients:
• 8 ounces of cream cheese (room temperature)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ a tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• Sour cherries pitted
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Lollipop sticks
Method:
1. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract together with an electric mixer until smooth. Incorporate the egg into the mixture.
2. Place in a muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes at 325F. Remove it from the pan and let it cool completely.
3. Combine the cheesecakes in a bowl and mash them together with a spatula.
4. Scoop out eight portions and shape them into disks.
5. Shape each cherry into a ball by placing one cherry in the centre of each disk.
6. Place the balls on a plate lined with plastic wrap after rolling in the Graham Cracker Crumbs. Refrigerate for ten minutes.
7. Place the cake pops in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until the sticks are stiff enough to hold them. Remove from the freezer and enjoy.