Berry Cheesecakes with Shortbread Stars
Berry Cheesecakes and Shortbread Stars
I am in charge of dessert for the 4th of July and this is what we will be having. I already knew I would make the mini cheesecakes- they were requested, after all. It made sense to top them with the blue and red berry mixture to fit into the theme for the day. I originally planned to make tiny stars to put on top of the cheesecakes. Several frustrating hours later, I was unable to find my mini star cookie cutter. I ended up going with the larger star cutter instead. I have to say, I was happy with the way they came out. These desserts can be served together, or on their own.
Berry Mini Cheesecakes
12 vanilla wafers
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. Cream cheese, softened
½ c. sugar
2 t. vanilla
2 eggs
Topping
1 c. fresh strawberries, stemmed and chopped
1 c. blueberries, rinsed and drained
½ c. sugar, or to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin tins with paper or foil liners and place a vanilla wafer in each one. Prepare the filling. Beat the cream cheese with the sugar until well blended. Beat in vanilla, then eggs. Remove muffin pans from the oven. Spoon the cheese mixture into the muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes, or until set. They will be pretty full and will puff up while baking. They will also settle when cooling. Combine strawberries and blueberries with the sugar. You might need less sugar if the berries are sweet. Chill until ready to use. Once cooled, arrange berries on the top of each little cheesecake. Chill before serving. Serve with cookies on the side- or on top of the cheesecakes. Makes 12.
Shortbread Stars
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 c. flour
star shaped sprinkles and blue sugar
In small bowl combine, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour. Chill dough 30 minutes. On floured surface, roll dough about 1/8 inch thick and cut into star shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet and decorate with sugar and star shapes sprinkles. Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Edges should be golden. Cool on a rack. Makes a couple dozen stars.
