I don’t often bake cakes these days, but am always happy to oblige when there is an occasion – especially when I can use some foraged ingredient from my backyard. I had two constraints in choosing what kind of cake I would bake. First, the birthday girl wanted something gluten-free and second, I have one arm in a cast due to a recent mishap leaving me less dextrous than usual. So what to make with no gluten and one hand? Cheesecake was the perfect solution. I just needed some help with cracking eggs! I still had some crabapple preserve in the freezer, and frankly I don’t think there are many fruits that pair any better with cheese than a nice tart apple. If I had any Calvados, that would have been my choice of liqueur, but brandy seemed a good alternative. I used an 8 inch spring form pan, placed it in a larger pan which was placed in another larger pan filled with water. I believe that prevented the cake from having any cracks on the surface when baked. Β
Spiked Crabapple Cheesecake
Ingredients
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup hemp hearts
4 oz butter
a pinch of salt
1 cup plain yogurt
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup honey
3 eggs
1 cup crabapple preserve
1/4 cup brandy
Method
Grind the nuts and add hemp hearts and butter and salt. Press the mixture into an 8″ spring form pan lined with parchment paper. Blend the next 4 ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Pour on top of the nut mixture. Bake at 325 degrees F for about one hour, until the custard has set. Meanwhile heat just to mix the brandy with the preserve. Allow to partially cool and pour over the cooled cheesecake.
The result was a little uneven looking due to my one-handedness, but delicious nonetheless. I think some toasted almond slices on the sides would have made it prettier but I can’t think that the flavour could have been improved at all.
Featured atΒ Fiesta Friday.
March 14, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Gorgeous Hilda, love that topping, it certainly would have done it for me. Too bad about your arm though, I hope it heals fast. Like you, I try not to bake too much except on occasions. But how I love desserts π
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March 14, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Loretta. the nice thing about a richly flavoured dessert like this is a little goes a long way.
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March 14, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Dearest Hilda, I so sorry to hear about your hand, hope you and your arm will get better soon! But the cheesecake looks tasty, you managed to make it! and i wish I could try that preserve! does it taste like common apple jam?
Thanks for bringing it to FF! Have a great weekend!
xoxo Mila
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March 14, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Thanks so much Mila. My arm and I appreciate your kind wishes. I find the crabapples are like apples – just a lot more so. Since using them in cooking I am at a loss as to why they aren’t used a lot more. If you find some in season I highly recommend them.
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March 14, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Actually I’ve never seem them anywhere. π You always have so many interesting ingredients!
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March 14, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Great work single-armed π
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March 14, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Thanks. I was quite pleased I was able to make anything, Still can barely type!
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March 14, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Going about daily activities with an arm in a cast is tough… especially as an adult. Kids tend to be a bit more resilient. However, it appears your temporary situation hasn’t hampered your creativeness one bit, Hilda. The flavors of the cheesecake sound delicious, and it looks beautiful. π
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March 14, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Thanks Nancy. A kid would have gone to the hospital right away, whereas I made things much worse by waiting several days and am paying for it. Can’t wait to be normal again! Glad I was able to post though and appreciate your kind words,
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March 14, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Your perseverance needs an applause, Hilda. Beautiful work with one arm n a cast. The birthday girl is lucky! Love the addition of hemp hearts. I will use this idea too!
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March 16, 2015 at 9:32 am
Looks lovely and very interesting. Also really like crabapple jelly! Thank you for sharing! π
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March 16, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Wow. This looks so good. Please throw a slice over here! A large one!
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March 16, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Ooh this sounds and look delicious! Sorry to hear about your accident, hope your arm heals soon!
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March 17, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Thanks Michelle.
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March 16, 2015 at 5:12 pm
This looks delicious as always, Hilda, and you baked it with one arm in a cast no less. I hope you heal quickly π
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March 17, 2015 at 11:41 pm
My typing skills must be really bad, as I’m pretty sure I thanked you for your comment already but don’t see it. So thanks again.
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March 17, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Great job with one arm Hilda. Get well soon.
Rob and family.
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March 17, 2015 at 11:46 pm
Thanks.
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March 17, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Looks wonderful! Even more impressive knowing you made it, quite literally, single-handedly π
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March 17, 2015 at 9:33 pm
I haven’t had a crabapple in so long. This looks amazing!
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March 17, 2015 at 10:33 pm
Well does this look scrumptious. I love that you used hemp hearts.
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March 17, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Thanks Carmen. Not sure why I did that, but it worked out fine. I think I was trying to cut down on the richness. Not necessary, but not a bad idea either,
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