Mexican Ricotta Cheesecakes With Apple And Cranberry Compote Recipes

CREAMY CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Brush a 10-inch springform pan with some of the melted butter. Stir together the remaining butter with the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the side of the pan. Use the back of a measuring cup or a drinking glass to pack the crust firmly and evenly into the edges of the pan. Bake until browned, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely, then set the pan on top of a large sheet of aluminum foil and wrap the foil around the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Place the pan on a baking sheet.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream, and mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cream and vanilla extract, and mix until just combined. Beat in the eggs one at time, beating the mixture after the last egg until just combined (take care not to overmix or the cake will turn into a souffle).
• Pour the filling in to the crust. Bake until the cheesecake is slightly golden and barely set in the middle when the pan is tapped, about 1 hour and 20 minutes (the cake might puff up slightly while in the oven, but that is okay; it will deflate as it cools). Turn off the oven, and leave the cake inside with the door shut for 1 hour. It will continue to set and color slightly in the oven.
• Run a thin knife or spatula around the cake to release it from the sides (this also helps reduce cracks in the top of the cake as it chills). Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• For the cranberry compote: Stir the sugar, dried cranberries and 1 cup water together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then add the fresh cranberries. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the fresh cranberries have burst and the sauce is slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the compote to a heat-safe bowl and let it cool slightly before covering the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerating until it is completely chilled. The cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools. (This can be made up to one day in advance.)
• For serving: Spread the cranberry compote in an even layer on top of the chilled cheesecake. The cheesecake will sink a bit in the center as it cools so it creates a perfect well for the cranberry compote. Run a thin knife or spatula between the cake and the sides again, then release the sides of the springform pan and remove the ring from the cheesecake base. Set the base on a cake platter, slice and serve.

MEXICAN RICOTTA CHEESECAKES WITH APPLE AND CRANBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place an oven-proof container with 2 cups water in the lower rack of the oven (this will create steam and help to prevent the cheesecakes from cracking).
• Put the graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and process to crumbs (about 2 cups). Add the butter and process until well combined.
• Divide the crumbs among the 12 muffin cups, patting them tightly with your fingers. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake the crust until golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth and pale, and then beat in the requeson and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the orange zest and mix until just combined. Pour the custard into the cooled crusts.
• Bake until the cheesecakes are puffed and golden and a tester inserted 1 inch from the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool on a rack at room temperature for 35 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. Carefully unmold each cheesecake and place on a platter. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Top each cheesecake with Apple Cranberry Compote, if desired, before serving.
• In a small heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the apples, cranberries and cinnamon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the cranberries are plump, about 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.