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Mini Cherry Goat Cheesecakes

August 31, 2015 by rachelle 48 Comments

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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!

 

Print

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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Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: cheesecake, cherry, dessert, mini, mini cherry goat cheesecakes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    August 31, 2015 at 7:16 am

    Haha that’s too funny, Rachelle! But such a fun memory! I never stole a canoe but I did almost tip when I went to girl scout camp! 🙂 These cheesecakes look absolutely gorgeous. Love the goat cheese in here!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      I’m pretty sure we almost tipped a couple of times too! 🙂 Thanks Gayle!

      Reply
  2. Heather - Butter & Burlap

    August 31, 2015 at 9:06 am

    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

      August 31, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      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

    August 31, 2015 at 9:26 am

    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

      August 31, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      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
  4. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen

    August 31, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Rachelle, you know the problem with these mini cakes? I’d be eating them all, so there would be nothing mini about them! Hahaha! They look fantastic!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      Good point, Kristi! Thanks!

      Reply
  5. David @ Spiced

    August 31, 2015 at 9:56 am

    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

      August 31, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      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
  6. Jen | Baked by an Introvert

    August 31, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Hahaha! I’m dying over here. Love the camp story. And these cheesecakes! Cherries with goat cheese, Yum!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      Thanks Jen! I’m glad you are amused by my juvenile delinquency! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

    August 31, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    Those cheesecakes!!! <3 Love that you used goat cheese. Seriously craving one now….send a few my way? 😉

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:57 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! I’m happy you stopped by!

      Reply
  8. mira

    August 31, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    Love the story! This reminds me that I’ve had similar ones, stealing stuff too! These cheesecakes are the cutest!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks Mira! Aren’t we a couple of bad girls?!?! I’m glad I’m not the only one with a checkered past!

      Reply
  9. Savita @ ChefDeHome

    August 31, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    LOVE mini cheesecakes!! These ones with cherries and goat cheese! Yummy combination, Rachelle! loving it and pinning it too 🙂

    Reply
    • rachelle

      August 31, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks Savita! And thanks so much for the Pin!

      Reply
  10. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

    August 31, 2015 at 10:47 pm

    Haha too funny! Loved your canoe story at camp:) These cheesecakes are absolutely adorable!!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks Kelly! Those were some good times!

      Reply
  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    September 1, 2015 at 12:08 am

    How cute! So intrigued by the tangy goat cheese in here 🙂

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks Medha!

      Reply
  12. Bach @ Taste Chronicles

    September 1, 2015 at 2:58 am

    Grand theft canoe! Hilarious story and delicious little cheesecakes! Yum!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Ha! Grand theft canoe! I LOVE that!

      Reply
  13. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    September 1, 2015 at 4:24 am

    Haha, what a funny story, and a great memory too!
    I love that you have used goats cheese in a cheesecake. That’s not something I have heard of before, but goats cheese is by far my favourite cheese.

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Thanks Dannii! Goat cheese is a fave around here too!

      Reply
  14. GiGi Eats

    September 1, 2015 at 9:06 am

    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

      September 1, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      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
  15. Meagan @ The F&B Department

    September 1, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Haha! Awesome story! And no explanation needed for these mini cherry goat cheesecakes. The pics speak for themselves! Delicious!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks so much Meagan!

      Reply
  16. Keri @ Fashionable Foods

    September 1, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    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

      September 1, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      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
  17. Beverley @ sweaty&fit

    September 1, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    That canoe story is so cute – such rebel girl scouts!
    Also these cheesecakes look amazing! I would pop them into my mouth like grapes. mmm

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 1, 2015 at 8:44 pm

      LOL! We were totally rebel girl scouts!

      Reply
  18. Zainab

    September 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Hahaha that’s a funny walk down memory lane! I love these mini cheesecakes too!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 2, 2015 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks Zainab! We were kind of naughty in our youth! 🙂

      Reply
  19. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass

    September 2, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    Busted busted busted. You naughty girls. Tsk tsk. I wrote a blog post last spring entitled “Busted: Yeah Me” http://www.throughherlookingglass.com/?p=6141 It was about a speeding ticket….on the way to my son’s induction into the National Honor Society. (Ouch!) Confession is good for the soul….Onto better and yummier things…mini cherry goat cheesecakes! So delicious!!! Love the vanilla bean paste.

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      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
  20. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    September 3, 2015 at 6:02 am

    These mini cheesecake look adorably divine, Rachelle! Cherries and goat cheese sound super yum. And loved that cute story too! 🙂

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 3, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      Thanks Anu! I’ll never forget that camp trip!

      Reply
  21. Raymund

    September 16, 2015 at 4:16 am

    These cheesecakes looks yum, perfect size but I guess I will go for seconds

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 16, 2015 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks Raymund! I went for seconds too!

      Reply
  22. Cristina @ I Say Nomato

    September 16, 2015 at 8:36 am

    These are SO gorgeous! I’ve never had cheesecake with goat cheese before, but I might have to now! Yum!

    Reply
    • rachelle

      September 16, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Thanks girl! I highly recommend it!

      Reply

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About Beer Girl Cooks


I’m Rachelle, an attorney by day with a passion for home brewing and cooking with craft beer.

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