$pent Millennial

I was recently turned on to the deliciousness of cheesecake. I know, I don’t know how I made it so long in life without trying it. Now that I have, I am hooked. I have been wanting to experiment with some fun variations, and the holidays seem like the perfect time. However, I have been, well, a bit spent with the upcoming holidays, work deadlines, and… life. So, I am keeping it simple this holiday, but with some fun twists. 

Here is how I make personal no-bake cheesecakes and let everyone experiment with their favorite flavors and combos- without driving myself crazy with complications. 

No-Bake Cheese Cake Base 

Ingredients: 

• Keebler pre-made crusts, I get the mini ones, so individuals can each have their own and add on what they want for toppings.
• 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 Cup Powdered Sugar 
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract 
• ½ Tsp Almond Extract (optional, for more complex flavor) 
• 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream 
• 1 Tsp Corn Starch 

Steps: 

1. Beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy 
2. Add in powdered sugar and flavored extracts, and continue to beat until all mixed together
3. In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream for 1 minute
4. Add in corn starch and continue mixing on high for 3-4 minutes, until stiff peak forms 
5. Fold in cream cheese mixture 
6. Fill individual pie crusts with filling 
7. Refrigerate with air-tight covering for at least 4 hours or overnight

Making them personal-sized allows me to make the simple base and then let everyone add on what they want, ice cream sundae style. The various add-ons I have this year include: 

• Melting Chocolate ( White and Milk) 
• Canned Fried Apples 
• Crushed Pecans 
• Maraschino Cherries