Almond and sour cherry cheesecake hearts

The Almond and sour cherry cheesecake hearts are a delicious dessert that blends the creaminess of cheesecake with the intense flavor of sour cherries and the crunchiness of almonds. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients

For the base:

• 200 g of dry biscuits (digestive or similar)
• 100 g of melted butter
• 50 g of chopped almonds

For the cream:

• 500 g of creamy cheese (such as Philadelphia)
• 120 g of powdered sugar
• 200 ml of whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 sachet of gelatin powder (about 10 g) or 6 sheets of gelatin

For the topping:

• 200 g of sour cherries in syrup
• Sliced almonds for decoration

Preparation

1. Prepare the base by finely grinding the biscuits and almonds. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter until you have a homogeneous mixture.
2. Line the bottom of a springform pan or heart-shaped molds with parchment paper. Distribute the biscuit and butter mixture, pressing it well into the bottom to create a compact base. Put in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes.
3. For the cream, whip the cream until it is very firm and then refrigerate it.
4. In a bowl, whip the creamy cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
5. If using powder gelatin, dissolve it in a little hot water as indicated on the package. If using gelatin sheets, first soak them in cold water for a few minutes, then squeeze them out and dissolve in a little hot liquid (water or lemon juice). Allow to cool slightly and then gently incorporate it into the cheese mixture.
6. Fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture, being careful not to deflate it.
7. Pour the resulting cream over the biscuit base and level it with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or, even better, overnight.
8. Once set, garnish the cheesecake with the sour cherries in syrup and sliced almonds.

For a final touch, you can pour some of the sour cherry syrup over the surface before serving.

Curiosity

Cheesecake is a dessert with ancient origins, its earliest version dating back to ancient Greece. However, it found its modern form in the United States, becoming one of the most famous and beloved desserts. Sour cherries, on the other hand, are a fruit typical of the Italian culinary tradition and they tie perfectly to the international spirit of cheesecake, creating an irresistible combination.