No Bake Mini Strawberry Cheese Cake

Today's recipe is a no-bake cheese cake that I made using my homemade cream cheese.  

Yesterday I shared my cream cheese recipe with the detailed description of my love for cheese cakes :)  I made that cream cheese especially for this cheese cake.

As my cream cheese was ready, I was all set to make this cake but then I realised that I had no loose bottom pan for making it.  It was so depressing :( I thought about all possible options but all in vain.  Then my toddler, who loves to explore my kitchen, came out with my plastic cookie cutters.. Then the idea came to my mind.. My very own cookie cutters. They were perfect for making these cheese cakes. Though their size was so small (palm size) but deep enough to accommodate all three layers of my cheese cake.. It was so pleasing to imagine my mini cheese cakes.  

Finally, everything was in my hands. I made these no bake mini cheese cakes without wasting any more time.  They came out very nice and cute looking.  I was not feeling to cut these little cuties but I had to :)  The taste was so good and I was fully satisfied with the results.  

For the third layer I used strawberry jam but you can use any kind of jam, jelly, fruit crush, chocolate ganache, mashed fresh fruits and so on.  The list it endless.  

I didn't follow any recipe. Added things as per my choice and measured them keeping in mind the size of my cookie cutters.  It was my first meeting with Gelatin :)  Fortunately, I got the perfect texture even without knowing the exact measurements.  Now I feel confident while doing experiments :D

These cheese cakes are just perfect to end a meal.  As they are bite sized (almost) you can serve them in kids party too. 

So here is the recipe for you to try.  Enjoy. Happy Cooking :)

                   

Makes - 3 mini cheese cakes (palm sized)

Ingredients:

For the base:

Marie biscuits / Digestive biscuits   -   7

Butter                                                -   1 tbsp

For the second layer (Cream Cheese) :

Homemade Cream Cheese      -    3 tbsp

Condensed milk                       -    2.5 tbsp

Vanilla essence                        -    few drops

Gelatin                                     -    1/4 tsp

Hot water                                 -    1.5 tsp

For the top layer:

Strawberry jam     -    5 tbsp

Gelatin                  -    1/4 tsp

Hot water              -    2 tsp

To decorate :

Glaced cherries (halved)    -    2

                              

Method:

(Here I would call the cookie cutters as Moulds).

Base:

• Take the cookies in a ziplock bag and powder them with the help of a pastry roller.  Shift to a clean and dry bowl.  Add in butter and mix well with your fingers for about 2 minutes.  Set aside.
• Take a tray or any serving plate.  Cut out three squares (big enough to accommodate the moulds) from a wax paper.  Set the wax paper squares on the serving plate.  Put one mould in the center of the wax paper square and hold it firmly.  Throw in some cookie-butter mixture and press it firmly to make an even layer.  The more firm this cookie layer would be, the more neat base your cheese cake would get.  Repeat the same process with other moulds too and put the tray as it is in the fridge to chill the base for about 30 minutes.

Second layer:

• Meanwhile, take 1.5 tbsp hot water in a small bowl and add in gelatin.  Let it melt. Once melted, give it a stir and set aside.  
• In a bowl, take cream cheese and whisk it well for about 2 minutes.  Add in condensed milk and vanilla and whisk again for 2-3 minutes.  Add in gelatin mix and stir well.
• Take the moulds out of the fridge.  Now, its time to put in the second layer i.e. of cheese cream.  Take two tablespoon of cream cheese mix and spread it evenly over the cookie base.   Repeat it for other two moulds too. Again keep it in the fridge to chill overnight or atleast for 3 hours.

Third layer:

• For the third layer i.e. of Jam.  Take the strawberry jam in a bowl and mix it well till smooth.  Take hot water and add in gelatin. Let it melt and stir well.  Add it to the jam and mix well. Take sufficient jam in a spoon to top second layer (cream cheese) and spread it evenly over it.  Again put it in the fridge to chill for about 1 hour.
• For removing the cake, from the mould, you need to be a little patient and careful.  Take one mould carefully in your hand and slowly push it upwards from the bottom with your finger.  Do not push from the center in the beginning.  Start with the sides and then center.  It would neatly come out.  Put it back on the wax paper.
• Decorate with glaced cherries and serve.