No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

By LisaMK

This recipe is from Martha Stewart Living. She adds three different cheeses in this cheesecake which is phenomenal!

Ingredients

• Filling:
• vegetable oil spray for pan
• 1 1/3 c finely ground vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies
• 2 tbs unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbs sugar
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• salt
• 1 c sour cream, room temp
• 2/3 c sugar
• 4 oz mascarpone, room temp
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temp
• 2 oz fresh goat cheese, room temp
• 1 vanilla bean, split seeds for scraped, pod reserved for another use (or 3/4 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1/4 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
• 1 c heavy cream
• Topping:
• 1 lb sweet cherries, halved and pitted (3 c)
• 1/3 c sugar
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 1 tbs water

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 190mins

Preparation

Step 1

Coat a 9 inch springform pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment. Stir together cookies, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt; press evenly into bottom of pan. Refrigerate.
Beat sour cream, 1/3 c sugar, cheeses, vanilla seeds or extract, and lemon zest with a mixer on medium speed until very smooth, about 4 mins. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl.
Whisk heavy cream and remaining 1/3 c sugar until medium peaks form. Fold into filling mixture and spread evenly onto crust. Smooth top and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Refrigerate for 45 mins. before serving.
Topping:
Bring half of the cherries and the sugar, vinegar, and cinnamon stick to a simmer in a small saucepan. Cook, covered, for 5 mins. Uncover, and simmer until cherries are soft, about 3 mins. Whisk together cornstarch and water; add to cherry mixture. Simmer for 1 mins. Remove from heat, and stir in remaining cherries. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Run a knife around edge of cake; release sides to remove from pan, and transfer cake to a serving platter. Remove cinnamon stick from topping; spoon over cake.
Drizzle balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper for extra pizzazz.