It’s hard to go past a good cheesecake. These little individual ones are super quick to make and best of all don’t leave you with a heap of tempting leftovers. Mascarpone is a delicious Italian cream cheese. If you can’t find it see the ‘variations’ for alternatives.
Strawberry Ripple Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 250 g / 9 oz strawberries ripe
- 250 g / 9 oz mascarpone
Instructions
- Keep 2 good looking strawberries aside. Remove the stems of the remaining strawberries. Place them in a small bowl and smash with a fork or your hands until you have a chunky mess.
- Stir in the mascarpone until the strawberries are ‘rippled’ through it.
- Divide between two little glasses or tea cups. Top with the reserved strawberries. Eat now or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Variations
dairy-free / paleo – replace mascarpone with ‘cashew cheese’ – soak 200g raw cashews in water for at least 6 hours. Drain and whizz in a food processor with a little water until smooth and creamy. Add more water if too thick. Another alternative here would be to replace mascarpone with chilled coconut cream (discard watery part) or coconut yoghurt.
different fruit – lovely with raspberries or blueberries. Or for a lemon version use a commercial lemon curd instead of the berries.
no mascarpone? – replace with other soft creamy cheese such as ricotta or even Philadelphia cream cheese.
crunchy – line the base of your cups with roasted chopped nuts or your fave granola.
sweeter – if your strawberries aren’t super ripe, add in a little stevia or your choice of sweetener.
Shelf Life / Storage
Best on the day it’s made. Can be kept for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge. Don’t freeze.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
strawberries – use for another meal or freeze them.
mascarpone – unopened tubs usually have a shelf life of a few weeks. Otherwise use for another meal. Can be frozen.
Problem Solving Guide
not sweet enough – add a little powdered (icing) sugar or stevia to taste.
too runny – refrigerate for an hour or so to allow mascarpone to firm up.
Serving Suggestions
Lovely in little tea cups.