Are you looking for a new dessert that will impress both friends and family? Try Nana's Cheesecake recipe with a twist, haskap topping. The sweet, light, creamy texture of this familiar favorite lends itself beautifully to the bright, semi-tart nature of the haskap. This easy to make recipe is a great way to try haskaps for the first time or to enjoy them in a whole new way.
In 2019 we started growing haskaps in Hampton, PE. We tried a few and fell in love with them right away. Unique in flavor, we had a few discussions in the field about how to describe the taste. Most similar, in my opinion, to the blueberry, I still find myself detecting notes of fresh grapes, raspberry and tart apples. This complexity is what led us into a world of enhanced desserts with our new favorite berry.
Last weekend we got the family together as a way to catch up with each other. It's been a busy Spring season for me at the greenhouse. With many of us adjusting to working from home, I've been busy suppling much needed plant therapy for interior and exterior spaces. Not only that, but my sister-in-law had a baby in the height of covid-19 fears. All things considered we haven't had much time to spend with one another. So, under the banner of celebrating my birthday, we got together to spend some quality time. My mother-in-law, upon hearing about our bountiful haskap harvest said she would make dessert. Haskap cheesecake. It was so delicious that I asked her to share the recipe with me. She quickly agreed and as we watched the youngest generation trying this new dessert we decided to bestow it with the title: Nana's Haskap Cheesecake. We all know everything is better at Nana's house.
Now, down to business. All you will need to make Nana's Haskap Cheesecake is:
- 1 3/4 cups Graham crumbs
- 1/4 cup Melted butter
- 3 cups Haskap berries
- 1 cup Sugar divided
- 3 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp. Water
- 2 pkgs. Cream cheese
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1 cup Whipping cream
Step 1: Make the Base
Combine 1 3/4 cup graham crumbs and 1/4 cup melted butter in a medium mixing bowl. Using a fork, mix the butter with the graham crumbs until the crumbs are fully coated. Press the mixture into a springform pan and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. If you do not have a springform pan, line your pan with parchment paper or lightly grease.
Step 2: Haskap Topping
In a medium sauce pan, add 2 cups of water, 3 cups of haskap berries, and 1/2 cup sugar. Stir frequently on med/high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Mix 3tbsp of cornstarch with 3tbsp of water until smooth. Add cornstarch and water to the berries. Stir until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let topping cool completely. I cool mine in the fridge. The mixture will thicken more as it cools.
Step 3: Cream Cheese Filling
Beat 2 pkgs of cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla. Beat mixture until well blended.
In a separate bowl whip the cream until it forms soft peaks and then slowly add it to the cream cheese mixture.
Step 4: Putting it all Together
Smooth the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust. Pour the chilled haskap berry mixture evenly over the top. Place in the fridge overnight.
Step 5: Serve
Gather the family together and enjoy this new variant on an old favorite. Nana's haskap cheesecake will leave you searching for more ways to enjoy haskaps.
