I absolutely love cheesecake – it’s one my favourite sweet treats.  I definitely favour the chilled variety over baked and I like my topping to be creamy and luscious with the distinct flavour from cream cheese still shining through whatever other flavourings are added.  For me the perfect base is one that’s crisp and firm rather than crumbly and dry. One of my favourite flavour combinations is juicy ripe raspberries with smooth sweet white chocolate and they make such a fabulous cheesecake together. This recipe is really simple and looks so pretty that it makes a perfect summery dessert if you are planning a get-together.  A little goes a long way with this and you could easily serve 8-10. Add to that the fact that you can make it the evening before and leave to chill overnight in the fridge and it is definitely a winner in my book.

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Last Friday was the February Irish Foodies cookalong and of course the theme this  month had to be Food for Romance/Loved Ones.   This was a perfect excuse to make what is fast becoming one of our favourite desserts in this house – a very tasty little tart that I first saw on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word.  I tweaked it just slightly by adding a smear of  salted caramel between the pastry and apples which produces a tart that is crispy and flaky and deliciously chewy all at once.  Like a lot of things I like to cook it is amazingly quick and very simple but yet looks like you have made a real effort, so it is perfect whether you are planning a cosy little dinner à deux or a get-together with loved ones.  If you are cooking for more than two then you can of  course make smaller tarts and get three from each roll of pastry and once they are brushed with melted butter they will keep for an hour or so until ready for cooking ♥ [Read more…]