Almost Cheesecake

 

A dessert for people who don’t do desserts if there ever was one: no baking, 5 ingredients, FESTIVE ENERGY, crunchy texture, and so much dairy. Inspired by the cover girl of Sweet Enough, here is a very perfect “almost cheesecake” It’s cheesecake in parfait form and you should really make it next time you only want a little bit of cheesecake. 

YIELD — 4-6 servings, can be scaled up for many

 

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese

  • ½ cup full fat sour cream, Greek yogurt or labne

  • 3 tablespoons of sugar 

  • Pinch kosher salt 

  • 1 cup of raspberries, blackberries or strawberries

  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • A few cookies such as Biscoff,graham, Nilla or shortbread, crumbled 

  • Flakey salt (optional)

Directions

1. In a food processor (or in a bowl with an electric mixer), combine Philadelphia cream cheese, sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and a pinch of kosher salt and blend (or mix) until well blended. 

2. Pause the blending and using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice, then keep blending until completely smooth and creamy.

3. Place raspberries (or berry of your choosing) in a small bowl and sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar and lemon juice. Using a fork, crush the fruit until the juices start flowing. 

4. Layer the cream cheese mixture, crushed berries and cookies in a charming glass, bowl, chalice, etc of your choosing, ending with the cookies and maybe a sprinkle of flaky salt.