Sunday, April 27, 2008

Surprisingly Sophisticated...


I had a strong suspicion that this would still be simply elegant as an adult dessert

This month, the Daring Bakers were challenged
with a recipe called Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Pops, using lollipop sticks. The principle is that the cheesecake be presented like a lollipop, to eat with child-like nostalgia from the end of the stick. Combined with the great cheesecake I remember from home, the whole concept packs a double whammy of memories and kiddie fun. I loved the idea.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to find any lollipop sticks anywhere in the city of Lyon, but I still wanted to try this recipe and join the challenge. I had a strong suspicion that without the actual sticks, this recipe would still be simply elegant as an adult dessert, to be drizzled with chocolate caramel syrup and eaten with a dessert fork. Well, the verdict is in, my friends. This recipe is excellent. The cheesecake has a rich soft sophisticated New York personality, wrapped in a dark chocolate covering that is like the perfect little black dress.

Even without the chocolate finish, this recipe is a great one for cheesecake. I've noted it carefully in my notebook. I used my regular white cheese coming from the farm that I pick up at the market on Sunday mornings. It worked perfectly. It's a keeper, and I imagine I will be preparing these chocolate covered cheesecake bites again and again through the years. I'd love to get my hands on some lollipop sticks one of these days and have a blast with the sprinkles and ribbons. Maybe after we have some kids to join in the fun! For the moment, we're cherishing the quiet dinners (this time with Anne and Greg), with the window open looking out over the square, and appreciating the sophistication that these chocolate covered New York style cheesecake bites deliver.

Thank you Daring Bakers! And to Elle & Deborah who hosted this challenge (you can get the recipe by visiting Deborah's blog).

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47 Comments:

Blogger zorra said...

In fact you turned them to an elegant dessert! Excellent!

I was not looking for lollipop sticks, I'm sure I couldn't find them here in Andalucia, so I just used straws. ;-)

7:14 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger Sheltie Girl said...

Your cheesecakes turned out so elegant and beautiful. Great job Lucy.

What type of cheese do you buy from your local farmer?

Natalie @ Gluten a Go Go

8:15 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger Gretchen Noelle said...

Although the "pops" were fun, I think I would love this even more as you made them, a nice elegant dessert. Lovely job!

8:59 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger Katie B. said...

I love love love your version! I likely would end up eating even MORE of them - I would sneak these posh little desserts constantly!

9:26 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger Katie Zeller said...

That looks perfect... Why ruin it with sticks?
I can almost taste all that luscious chocolat....

9:43 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger glamah16 said...

At last a grown up elegant version. Divine.

10:30 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger fanny said...

Lucy, you're right. Your 'truffles' looks insanely sophisticated.
Simply beautiful.

xxx fanny

10:31 PM, April 27, 2008  
Blogger Laurie said...

The chocolate looks luscious like a ganache..very elegant indeed!

1:08 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Christine said...

Elegant and beautiful!

2:11 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Andrea Meyers said...

Very sophisticated and beautiful, and like you said, the chocolate is the perfect little black dress. Lovely!

2:51 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Lunch Buckets said...

Very nice! The sticks leave too much "evidence" behind anyway...

3:57 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Sarah said...

Your cheesecake nibbles are gorgeous! They remind me of luxurious peppermint patties (which reminds me, maybe next time I make them I'll use peppermint extract with the dark chocolate! :) Great job!

Best,
Sarah

5:26 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Tace said...

How decadent. Soft pooling chocolate around cheesecake bites........I'll just a need a moment....*sigh* They look gorgeous and if they're half as tasty as they look then...oh my!

5:27 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger steph- whisk/spoon said...

wow--these do look really beautiful in their little black dresses!

11:18 AM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Unknown said...

Those look lovely! I should have left off the toothpicks entirely! They look magnificent on their own and without any confetti. Simplicity at it's best!

12:46 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger BC said...

You're right, they are elegant on their own too.

12:50 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Barbara Bakes said...

Next time I'll make them without sticks as well - gorgeous!

1:39 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Deeba PAB said...

Absolutely elegant & fabulous Lucy! Interested to read that you use white cheese...what cheese is that? Your pops on the plate look decadent...feel like joining the party! We don't get popsicle sticks here either, so the daughter came up with a brilliant idea-colourful straws which worked quite well. I love the creamy dreamy look of your pops...cheers

2:30 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Veron said...

They do make elegant desserts. They almost look like big truffle balls except they have cheesecake inside. Great job!

2:45 PM, April 28, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In a word... gorgeous. A fantastic improvisation!

2:49 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Angel said...

Wowsers yours turned out so elegant. That looks like something from a five star hotel. Fantastic Job!

3:36 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Jerry said...

They look like york patties, but are so much better! I agree to keeping the recipe its is wonderful!

3:39 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Deborah said...

They do indeed look elegant!! Great job on this month's challenge!

4:45 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Sunshinemom said...

Very elegant....it doesn't like a kiddy snack any more :)

4:49 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Molly Loves Paris said...

Well your cheesecake bites show that it can be an elegant grown-up dessert also. That plate you have them on is the dishes we had when I was a child. How did it end up in France?

5:59 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Susan @ SGCC said...

You'r right. These do make a sophisticated and elegant dessert too, especially with that gorgeous, deep, dark chocolate! Well done!

7:19 PM, April 28, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I just love the way they look.

7:57 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger Suzana said...

So fancy! I love the beautiful plate - it makes a lovely match with the dark chocolate.

9:43 PM, April 28, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I didn't use the sticks either. It seems like that was the way to go...everyone had so much trouble eating them!

10:08 PM, April 28, 2008  
Blogger jasmine said...

I probably wouldn't repeat these as lollies, but after seeing your take on the challenge, I probably *would* make them as dainty little bites.

V. lovely.

j

1:26 AM, April 29, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How beautiful! You've definitely turned this into a very elegant dessert!

1:59 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Fran Z said...

Lovely little drops!

2:37 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Proud Italian Cook said...

Very impressive! How sophisticated they look drenched in that dark chocolate!

6:15 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Jaime said...

those are adorable! they look like little candies :)

7:39 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Shandy said...

Your cheesecake balls are now cheesecake bon bons. . .and absolutely decadent! I am so glad that you didn't let not finding lollipop sticks deter you from joining in. Beautiful Challenge =D

7:42 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger L Vanel said...

Thanks for the comments and encouragement, friends.

Natalie, at the market where I do my shopping, there are cheese sellers who have fresh cream cheese from the farm. It's delicious!

Molly, those plates are California Franciscanware, I bought them many years ago at a flea market in upstate New York and still use them all the time!

9:39 AM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger test it comm said...

Your chocolate cover cheesecake looks great! Nice presentation!

12:37 PM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Ruth Strong said...

Wow, what a beautiful and elegant take on the challenge! So sophisticated. I can imagine being served these in a top restaurant! Great work on the DB challenge

6:32 PM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Kelly-Jane said...

Yours are very elegant, like special bon bons, great job :)

8:31 PM, April 29, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful plating and photos! Well done.

9:31 PM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger Unknown said...

I love these, like cheesecake truffles.

10:24 PM, April 29, 2008  
Blogger cookworm said...

Great job at making them look so elegant! The melted chocolate is a nice touch.

12:39 AM, April 30, 2008  
Blogger Venus ~ Vi said...

Wow, like truffles =) Very elegant indeed!

3:32 AM, April 30, 2008  
Blogger creampuff said...

Oh my, Lucy!

Is that ever elegant. Just beautiful.

3:41 AM, April 30, 2008  
Blogger MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

My plan is to use candy cane sticks at Christmas. I'd be more than happy to drop some pop sticks in an envelop if you'd like - email is commentsmykitchen at mac dot com
I think this is the best serving size I've ever seen or had for a cheesecake!
Yours are lovely sophisticated drops!! Like that plate too.

5:18 AM, April 30, 2008  
Blogger Allison said...

How lovely!
I love your comparison to the little black dress... chocolate is certainly sexy enough.

9:19 AM, April 30, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they look like profiterolles to me :)
what a nice idea !

10:43 AM, May 04, 2008  

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