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Mini Cherry Goat Cheesecakes

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Have I ever told you about the time I went to Girl Scout Camp and stole a canoe?

 

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True story.

 

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Don’t judge me.  I did not act alone.

 

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I met the best friend I had all through elementary, junior high, and high school on the first day of first grade.  I was a terrified, extremely shy, awkward, and skinny kid when I showed up to the first day of school.  This day remains one of my most vivid memories.  Kim approached me and asked who my kindergarten teacher was.

 

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Back in the day we only went to kindergarten half days.  You either had school in the morning or the afternoon.  So, I said I had Mrs. Wright, Kim slapped me five and said she did too.  She was morning and I was afternoon.  We were thick as thieves from that moment on.

 

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Flash forward about 10 years and somehow we ended up as non-Girl Scouts at Girl Scout Camp.  There were girls of all ages there, but the older girls (us) got our own weird 3 sided cabin away from all the little girls and I’m here to tell you that just invited shenanigans. Trust me.  I speak the truth.

 

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This camp was obviously in the woods, but it was near a body of water that wasn’t really a river, but it was bigger than a stream. There were residential homes in the area too.  Kim and I were out looking for trouble exploring one afternoon and came across a canoe by the water.  We looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and thanked our lucky stars for this opportunity.  We rowed up and down that body of water all day long – venturing a bit further each time.

 

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Then we started taking on passengers and that led to our demise as captains of the purloined canoe.

 

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We got busted.

 

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I realize that trip down my memory lane had absolutely nothing to do with these mini cherry goat cheesecakes, but I sure had a good time thinking about my old friend and remembering that dang canoe appropriation.  We did give it back after all!

 

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Mini Cherry Goat Cheesecakes

Ingredients

For the Cherries

  • 1 pound fresh cherries
  • zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • For the Cheesecakes
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 8 ounces goat cheese softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • mint leaves for garnish if desired

Instructions

For the Cherries

  1. Combine cherries, lemon zest and juice, sugar, and water in a large pot and bring to a boil
  2. Reduce heat to a simmer, add corn starch, and continue cooking until cherries are soft and liquid thickens
  3. Remove from heat and chill in the refrigerator

For the Cheesecakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Combine melted butter and graham cracker crumbs
  3. Add 12 cupcake liners to a standard size muffin pan
  4. Press about 2 tablespoons into the bottom of each liner
  5. Add goat cheese and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on low until smooth
  6. Add the 2/3 cup of sugar and the salt and beat on low until combined
  7. Add eggs one at a time, making sure to incorporate the first completely before adding the second one
  8. Add vanilla and beat on high until smooth, about 2 minutes
  9. Pour evenly into the cupcake liners
  10. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until set
  11. Cool to room temperature then refrigerate until cold
  12. To serve, peel off liners, top with cherries, and garnish with mint leaves if desired

Adapted from Food & Wine July 2015 issue

Note:  I refrigerated the cherries and the cheesecakes overnight

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Comments

  2. Heather - Butter & Burlap

    Haha, you had a bit of bad girl in you back then didn’t you, eh? I wasn’t a girl scout, but an indian princess instead and there was a group of girls and we always went with our dads, and I always remember them putting us to bed then having a BLAST by the campfire, and setting their chairs on fire so in the morning, we would wake up with no chairs. HAH! Silly dads. (This was all alcohol induced), but nevertheless, hilarious. Ahh, the memories! I haven’t had cheesecake in FOR. EV. ER. but I’m gonna change that right quick! Great Recipe!

    Reply

    • rachelle

      Wow, girl! Your camping sounds way more exciting! I’m pretty sure no one got hammered and burned out chairs! LOL!

      Reply

  3. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Ha! I went to girl scout camp too! But I didn’t steal a canoe 🙁 Clearly my experience was NOT as fun as yours! LOVE this tres chic mini cheesecakes! I mean GOAT cheese IN the cheesecake? OMG! Where has THIS idea been my whole life?! These are all sorts of perfect, right down to the cherry topping! Pinned! Cheers, love. Try not to purloin anything today. Or do… just make sure you tell me about it after. 🙂

    Reply

    • rachelle

      You should have been at my GSC! Oh my! The possibility of shenanigans are endless! You will be relieved to know that I have not been purloining today – but there’s still time! 🙂

      Reply

  5. David @ Spiced

    Haha…best post ever! Nothing like a purloined canoe story to start the day off right. Also, a 3-sided cabin? What the what was that all about??

    Oh, and I’ll take one of these cheesecakes right about now…thank you very much! 🙂

    Reply

    • rachelle

      Thanks David! I’m glad we could get your week rolling on the right note. I have no idea what the 3 sided cabin was about. I’m glad we didn’t get homicided – there are criminals in those woods! 🙂

      Reply

  14. GiGi Eats

    I have never had goat cheese before in my life! When I could eat dairy, I was always turned off by the smell… That being said, if I could have dairy, I would certainly try one of these – I mean, I think I would try anything at least once! 😉

    Reply

    • rachelle

      Well, it’s probably a good thing you never had the chance to become addicted to goat cheese then have it taken away! It’s better that you don’t know what you are missing! 🙂

      Reply

  16. Keri @ Fashionable Foods

    What a nice trip down memory lane! Talking about elementary school and girl scouts really bring back memories for me too! I went to kindergarten knowing my whole class because I grew up in such a small town that most of our parents were friends. These cheesecakes look sinful!! I LOVE the use of goat cheese in here. Great photos!

    Reply

    • rachelle

      Knowing everyone you go to school with before you get there must have made things a lot easier! Thanks so much for the compliments!

      Reply

    • rachelle

      Girl, you need to pay closer attention to your gas indicator AND your speedometer! As a former public defender, I can advise you that cops never like to be told to hurry up! That’s hilarious! 🙂 I’m glad you didn’t land in the pokey!

      Reply

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