Cheesecake Bites

Traditional cheesecake bites with a white wine, pear and grape garnish.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a 18 x 13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
For the crust: In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Press mixture into baking sheet. Reserve.
For the cheesecake: Cream together cream cheese and ricotta until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Pour on top of crust and bake for 1 hour.
Turn off oven and leave in oven for 1 hour. Do not open oven. Remove and allow to cool in refrigerator.
For the pear and grape garnish: In a large sauté pan, melt butter.
Add pears and grapes and sauté for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook until desired syrupy consistency is reached.
Allow to cool to room temperature. Reserve.
Cut cheesecake into 30 pieces and plate. Top with garnish.

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Alyssa, ALDI Test Kitchen

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups crushed Benton Graham Crackers

1/3 cup Baker's Corner Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Countryside Creamery Butter, melted

Cheesecake:

2 8-ounce packages Happy Farms Cream Cheese, room temperature

15 ounces Happy Farms Preferred Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

4 Goldhen Large Eggs

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 teaspoon Stonemill Pure Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 cups Baker's Corner Granulated Sugar

1/4 cup Baker's Corner All Purpose Flour

16 ounces Friendly Farms Sour Cream

1/4 cup Countryside Creamery Butter, melted and cooled

Pear and Grape Garnish:

2 tablespoons Countryside Creamery Butter

3 pears, diced

1 cup red grapes, halved

1 cup green grapes, halved

1 grapefruit, zested

1 teaspoon Stonemill Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Stonemill Cinnamon

3/4 cup San Zenone Bianco*

*These are Seasonal items that are only in stores for a limited time and may no longer be available.

Prep time:
20 minutes

Cook time:
2 hours, 20 minutes

Total time:
2 hours, 40 minutes

Servings:
10 (3 pieces per serving)