Tasty Tuesday: Blackberry Cheesecake Cups

I am loving all of the fresh fruit available at The Red Barn right now. I found another recipe from my favorite cooking website, Real Mom Kitchen. Laura does an excellent job preparing and photographing fantastic food that can be made with ingredients most of us have on hand. So without further delay, I bring you Blackberry Cheesecake Cups!


Ingredients:

• 4 graham crackers
• 1 T. butter, melted
• 8 oz. light cream cheese (Neufchatel)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 oz. fresh Red Barn blackberries (reserve 4 for garnishing)
• sweetened whipped cream for garnish* see recipe below
  
• mint leaves (optional) also for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Crush the graham crackers to create crumbs. Add melted butter, stir well to combined. Spread on baking sheet. Toast in the oven 3 – 5 minutes until crumbs start to brown. Cool.
2. Process the cream cheese, sugar, cream and vanilla in a food processor until smooth. Add half the blackberries and process until just crushed.
3. Spoon a half of the graham cracker crumbs into four 1/2 cup-capacity dishes, layer on a few blackberries. Divide cheesecake mixture evenly between the dishes and top with the remaining graham cracker crumbs. Garnish with whipped cream, blackberries, and mint (if desired). Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Serves 4.

*This recipe would also be great with raspberries or blueberries, or a combination of all three berries!

Sweetened Whipped Cream

1 cup Whipping Cream
2 heaping tbsp Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl and beat until soft peaks form.