Deep-Fried Cheesecake Bites
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 18 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 18 servings
- Calories
- 213
- Total Fat
- 16
- Saturated Fat
- 4
- Carbohydrates
- 17
- Dietary Fiber
- 1
- Sugar
- 9
- Protein
- 2
- Cholesterol
- 14
- Sodium
- 103
- Total: 1 hr 30 min (includes freezing time)
- Active: 1 hr
Ingredients
Cheesecake Mixture:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Strawberry Sauce:
1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, cleaned and quartered if fresh
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Batter:
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup whole milk
Directions
Special equipment:
a deep-frying thermometer- For the cheesecake mixture: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Beat the cream cheese until smooth in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sugar, vanilla and graham cracker crumbs and beat until well combined. Scoop 1-tablespoon balls of the cheesecake mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for about 30 minutes.
- For the strawberry sauce: Meanwhile, combine the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the sugar is dissolved and the berries begin to break down and to give off their juices, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Set aside.
- For the batter: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until the oil registers 350 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk and whisk until smooth.
- When the oil is ready, remove the cheesecake balls from the freezer. Working in batches, add the cheesecake balls to the batter a few at a time, turning to coat. Remove from the batter, allowing excess to drip off, and then carefully add to the oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch (allow the oil to return to temperature between batches). Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the paper towels.
- Serve warm, with strawberry sauce.