No Bake Mascarpone Cheesecake
This no bake mascarpone cheesecake is the easiest cheesecake you’ll ever make! With a press-in biscotti crust and an almond-scented filling, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion or holiday. The frozen filling has an ice cream-like texture that slowly softens as you eat it, turning ultra creamy. Take note that this cake needs to freeze for an hour before adding the cherry jam topping, then for another 3 hours to set. However, you can make it completely the day (or several days!) before. Take the mascarpone out of the refrigerator an hour or two before making the cake to come to room temperature, or follow the instructions in the notes below for softening it quickly.
Servings: 8 people
Ingredients
Crust
- 6 ounces almond biscotti (regular or gluten-free), or 1 ½ cups biscotti crumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Cheesecake
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons (78 g) granulated sugar, divided
- 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon vanilla paste
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch salt
Topping
- 1 cup cherry jam
- Fresh cherries or maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make and freeze the crust
- Place the biscotti in a food processor or Vitamix and process until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture is the texture of damp sand. Scrape the crumbs into a 9-inch springform pan and press them into a compact, even layer over the bottom. Freeze the crust while you make the filling.
Make the cheesecake filling and freeze
- In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone and ¼ cup of the sugar using hand beaters until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and a pinch of salt. Using the same hand beaters (no need to wash them!), beat the mixture to soft peaks (the cream should look billowy and creamy but should hold a soft point - see the video above).
- Scrape about one-third of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture and beat just until just combined (you don’t want to overwork the mixture). Add another third of the whipped cream fold it in using a rubber spatula. Add the rest of the whipped cream and fold just until evenly combined (don’t overwork the mixture, otherwise it could turn grainy).
- Scrape the filling over the cold crust and spread it in an even layer. Cover the pan and freeze for 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Warm the jam on the stovetop or in the microwave until runny. Let cool slightly. Pour the jam over the top of the cake and spread it in a thin layer. If the cake had only been frozen for 1 hour, freeze it again for at least 3 hours. If the cake was frozen overnight, freeze it again until the jam sets, about 30 minutes.
- To serve, remove the cake from the springform ring (if needed, run a thin knife or offset spatula around the edges to loosen). Run a large off-set spatula (or thin knife) under the crust to loosen it from the base, and transfer the cake to a platter or cake stand (or you can serve it right on the springform base!). If the cake was in the freezer overnight, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Cut the cake into wedges and serve.
Notes
Do Ahead: The cake can be covered tightly and frozen for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- You’ll need a 9-inch springform pan for this cake.
- For the crust you can use any store-bought crunchy almond biscotti. I use these gluten-free almond biscotti.
- Be sure to use mascarpone cheese in this cake, not cream cheese, which won't give you the same texture. Take the mascarpone out of the fridge at least an hour in advance to come to room temperature. If you forget, you can microwave the mascarpone in 10-second intervals, stirring between each, until softened.
- If you can’t find cherry jam or preserves, you can use seedless raspberry jam instead. The jam should be warmed just until it’s liquidy (so it spreads easily), but not piping hot (let it cool if needed).
- This cake needs no decoration, but I love to garnish it with these natural maraschino cherries. You could also use fresh cherries or toasted sliced almonds!
- If you freeze the cake overnight, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly before slicing.
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