Cheesecake with raspberry jelly

Raspberry Jelly Cheesecake – a refreshing and delicious dessert

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 0 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes + cooling time
Number of servings: 8-10

I propose a raspberry jelly cheesecake recipe that perfectly combines creamy and sweet-tart filling with a crunchy biscuit crust. This recipe is ideal for warm days when you need something refreshing and easy to prepare. Cheesecake is a classic dessert that has gained popularity due to its fine texture and versatility – it can be customized with various fruits or sauces. In this case, raspberries add a fresh and vibrant touch.

Ingredients for the cheesecake:

*Crust*:
- 400 g butter cookies (you can also use digestive biscuits or cocoa cookies for a more intense flavor)
- 150 g melted butter (make sure it's of good quality)

*Cream cheese filling*:
- 600 g Făgăraș cheese (or another type of creamy cheese, such as mascarpone or Philadelphia)
- 200 g sugar (you can adjust the amount according to your preferences)
- 200 ml liquid cream (keep it in the fridge for better whipping)
- vanilla essence (a few drops for a more aromatic taste)
- 5 g gelatin (if you want a firmer texture, use a whole packet)
- 50 ml cold water

*Raspberry jelly*:
- 800 g raspberries (fresh, but you can also use frozen)
- 100 g sugar (adjust to taste)
- 10 g gelatin
- 100 ml cold water

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the crust:
- Start by crushing the cookies in a food processor until you get a fine powder. This step is essential for a uniform and crunchy base.
- Melt the butter over low heat or in the microwave, then add it to the crushed cookies. Mix well so that the entire mixture is moist.
- Place a 22 cm ring on a platter and sprinkle the cookie mixture, pressing it down evenly with a glass or the bottom of a spoon. This will ensure that the crust does not crumble when you cut it.
- Put the platter in the fridge for about 30 minutes so that the crust hardens.

2. Preparing the cream cheese filling:
- In a small pot, bring a little water to a boil. This will be used to hydrate the gelatin.
- In a bowl, whip the cream until it becomes firm. This step is important as the whipped cream will help aerate the cream cheese.
- In another bowl, add the cheese and sugar. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Add the whipped cream and vanilla essence, gently mixing to avoid losing volume.

3. Hydrating and melting the gelatin:
- In a small bowl, place the gelatin and cold water. Let it hydrate for a few minutes.
- After the gelatin has swollen, place the bowl over a double boiler, stirring until it completely melts. Then, add the gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and mix well.

4. Assembling the cheesecake:
- Pour the cream cheese over the cookie crust in the fridge, leveling it with a spatula. Put the cheesecake back in the fridge for 2 hours until the cream sets.

5. Preparing the raspberry jelly:
- Rinse the raspberries with cold water and place them in a pot along with the sugar. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes until the raspberries break down.
- Strain the mixture to obtain a syrup, leaving the seeds aside. Put the syrup back on the heat, reducing it until you get about 500 ml.
- Hydrate the gelatin in cold water, then melt it over a double boiler. Mix the gelatin with the cooled raspberry syrup and pour the mixture over the cream cheese.

6. Finalizing and serving:
- Leave the cheesecake in the fridge for another 1-2 hours until the jelly sets. When ready, you can remove the ring and cut the cheesecake into slices.
- Serve it plain, or with a raspberry sauce or some fresh fruits as decoration. A glass of white wine or a fruit tea would perfectly complement this dessert.

Useful tips:
- If you want a less sweet cheesecake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the cream cheese or add a splash of lemon juice.
- The gelatin can be adjusted depending on how firm you want the cheesecake to be. A whole packet will give you a firmer texture, ideal for serving.
- If you don't have raspberries, you can experiment with other fruits like berries, mango, or peaches.

Nutritional benefits:
The raspberry jelly cheesecake is not only delicious but also brings some nutritional benefits. Raspberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the cheese contains calcium and essential proteins, while the butter cookies provide quick energy.

This raspberry jelly cheesecake recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a party, a family gathering, or simply a tasty weekend dessert. I hope you enjoy every bite and impress your friends with this refreshing and elegant dessert!