While it might seem odd to you, many people do not enjoy cake. While that might seem like a form of blasphemy in your household, there is another option: cheesecake.
Fortunately, when it comes to creating fun cheesecake ideas, Paula Deen has got you covered. Not only does she have wonderful recipes for traditional cheesecake, but also for deep-fried and surprise pop cheesecake too.
Known as the Queen of Southern Cooking, Paula Deen is a chef, restauranteur, author, and television personality.
One of the things people love most about her is the fact she creates comforting food that you can easily replicate at home.
She has over 30 years of experience in the food industry and learned most of her cooking skills from her mother. She has passed the food bug onto her two sons as well.
They also help to run her restaurants and have produced their cookbooks.
Flavor Profile Of Cheesecake
Before we get onto the cheesecake recipes, let’s take a look at what cheesecake is. The great thing about cheesecake is that the base is simple.
It often includes just a vanilla-like cream cheese flavor with a plain pastry crust.
The reason this is so great is that the flavor of a cheesecake can be manipulated easily. The base flavor compliments over flavors very well, but it also is not overbearing.
It is slightly tangy too, yet mostly has a sweet and creamy flavor to it. Some varieties of cheesecake also flavor the pastry too.
For example, the New York cheesecake often puts sour cream in the pastry. This adds an extra tang to the flavor.
The texture itself is very light and creamy, while the crust can be crunchy and tougher – but not hard. This creates a wonderful contrast between the two textures of the cheesecake.
Other things can create this too, such as adding fruit and sauces, as well as adding ingredients to the cream cheese.
Here are 9 of the best Paula Deen mini cheesecake recipes that we have rounded up for you to check out:
This recipe does not include you making your own cheesecake, however, you can create one if you wish. Though if you do, you will need to freeze it as it includes using thawed cheesecake, rather than fresh.
This makes it an easy recipe to make for when you have to create something on the day without much thought. They look a lot more difficult to make than they actually are.
Once you have molded the cheesecake into balls, added the ingredients, and placed it on a skewer, you will then need to freeze the pops for at least 4 hours.
We know what you are thinking, and yes, caramel and apple are two flavors that go very well together. So much so, Paula Deen has created a cheesecake recipe with both apple and caramel as the main stars.
While some cheesecakes involve no stove cooking, this one does. The reason for this is that you will need to mix the filling of the pie with the caramel sauce to make sure it becomes spreadable.
Remember to add the pecans on top of the cheesecake to give it some crunch, but also to make it look appealing.
If you need to create an indulgent and chocolatey cheesecake, then you are going to love this chocolate explosion cheesecake recipe by Paula Deen. You will find that it is very luxurious, yet surprisingly not overly sweet.
This kind of cheesecake recipe is best for those who have some cooking experience under their belt.
It involves numerous baking skills which may put some people off. However, this recipe is worth making if you love chocolate.
The ganache which is put over the top of the cheesecake can be created using a microwave, so do not let this term put you off making this delightful chocolate cheesecake recipe.
If you love cheesecake then you are most definitely going to want to try these cheesecake surprise balls by Paula Deen. Just like with the surprise pops (see above), you will need thawed cheesecake.
Again, you can make your own cheesecake, but it is much easier to buy frozen cheesecake and then thaw it so it is ready to be molded.
Altogether it will create around 36 balls which will be ready to eat after being in the refrigerator for at least an hour or two.
If there is one cheesecake you should try making then it is this Southern recipe. Not only is the cheesecake an absolute dream with its cream cheese and vanilla, but the rich praline sauce is to die for.
While you might be tempted to add the sauce while the cheesecake is whole, instead place the sauce in a bowl. This means you can pass it around the table and let people ladle it onto their own cheesecake slices.
This recipe does include prep time of just over 5 hours, but cooking will only take you just over an hour in total.
Eating deep-fried cheesecake is certainly something you need to experience at least once. You will need to wrap the cheesecake filling into spring roll wrappers, as well as add a chocolate garnish.
In total this recipe will only take 30 minutes to prep and cook, so it will be ready for your Friday evening movie. However, this does not include actually making the cheesecake.
While you can use store-bought cheesecake, this recipe also tells you how to create a basic cheesecake to use for deep-frying. Add at least another 45 minutes to the total cooking time.
If you are making an adult-only cheesecake, then this hazelnut liqueur one will be right up your street.
Not only that, compared to some of the recipes by Paula Deen, this cheesecake recipe does not need a whole lot when it comes to ingredients.
You will want to make this the day before you need to serve it. While it will only take 20 minutes to prep and an hour to cook, you may want to set it overnight so it is perfect to cut.
This holiday cherry cheesecake is a must during the festive season. It is served in a dish too, meaning you can place it on the table and have people help themselves to this sweet delight.
The great thing about this cheesecake is that it includes coconut flakes that pair nicely with cream cheese, chopped walnuts, and cherry pie.
It also does not need any setting time either, so this tasty dessert will be ready within 40 minutes and allows for 20 servings.
Paula Deen has used inspiration from Aunt Peggy for this cheesecake with a praline topping. While a cheesecake is known for being soft and light, the sweet and nutty topping adds some crunch to your bite.
It also includes an irresistibly crunchy crust too that is different from a lot of other cheesecakes out there.
You will find that this type of cheesecake will not need any setting time, so you will only have to spend 15 minutes preparing the ingredients and then up to 45 minutes cooking it.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have seen all 9 of these delicious cheesecakes, which one have you decided to make first? Unsurprisingly, the decision is bound to be difficult, so why not work your way through all of them?
If you have never tried deep-fried cheesecake, you are definitely in for a real treat. Have fun creating some of the best cheesecake choices from Paula Deen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Cheesecake Have A Tangy Taste To It?
Cheesecake has a tangy taste due to its flavor. While it is described as tangy, it is not the type of tangy or sour that would cause you to pull a face.
Instead, cheesecake has a creamy tangy taste that often comes from either cream cheese or sour cream.
What Smell Does Cheesecake Have?
Regular cheesecake with no topping likely smells like vanilla, or at least something sweet. If the cheesecake has a topping or additional flavors, then you will smell that.
What Type Of Texture Does Cheesecake Have?
Cheesecake is known to have both a light and dense texture. The filling is soft due to being cream cheese – or something similar – mixed with other ingredients.
This then sets to become firm for it to stay in its shape.
Most people associate cheesecake with its texture rather than its flavor. For this reason, the flavor can be manipulated widely.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
