Mexican Ricotta Cheesecakes with Apple and Cranberry Compote
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 12 cheesecakes
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 12 servings
- Calories
- 289
- Total Fat
- 17
- Saturated Fat
- 10
- Carbohydrates
- 28
- Dietary Fiber
- 1
- Sugar
- 20
- Protein
- 6
- Cholesterol
- 78
- Sodium
- 142
- Total: 4 hr 5 min
- Prep: 20 min
- Inactive: 2 hr 45 min
- Cook: 1 hr
Ingredients
5 ounces (9 whole crackers) cinnamon-sugar graham crackers
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (from a 14-ounce can)
1 cup fresh requeson or ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest (from 1 small orange)
Apple Cranberry Compote, recipe follows
Apple-Cranberry Compote:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Special equipment:
1 silicone 12 (1/2 cup) muffin mold- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place an oven-proof container with 2 cups water in the lower rack of the oven (this will create steam and help to prevent the cheesecakes from cracking).
- Put the graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and process to crumbs (about 2 cups). Add the butter and process until well combined.
- Divide the crumbs among the 12 muffin cups, patting them tightly with your fingers. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake the crust until golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth and pale, and then beat in the requeson and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the orange zest and mix until just combined. Pour the custard into the cooled crusts.
- Bake until the cheesecakes are puffed and golden and a tester inserted 1 inch from the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a rack at room temperature for 35 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Carefully unmold each cheesecake and place on a platter. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Top each cheesecake with Apple Cranberry Compote, if desired, before serving.
Apple-Cranberry Compote:
- In a small heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the apples, cranberries and cinnamon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the cranberries are plump, about 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.