STEEMIT CULINARY CHALLENGE # 33 : No Bake Mixed Berries Cheesecake with Spéculoos

Hello friends,

Summer is on and berries are on season as well. Perfect combination, right? So, why not making something fresh to cheer up our hot days?

Since I moved to Belgium, I always use spéculoos for the cheesecake's crust both baked or no bake. It gives more flavour to the cheesecake and I prefer that way :-) But if you dont have spéculoos in hand, you may substitute it with graham crackers.

This time, I propose you a no bake cheesecake that can be easily made without turning on our oven during summer. But before getting started, I'd like to say thank you to Hive account@woman-onthe-wing for hosting continously the challenge, previous judge Hive account@rebeccaryan for her nice comment that keeps me motivated and the current judge and sponsor Hive account@haphazard-hstead, also many thanks for the other sponsors Hive account@englishtchrivy and Hive account@rouketas. Last but not least, special thanks to Hive account@malik.roxane, she was the one who introduced me to Steemit and Steemit Culinary Challenge :-)

INGREDIENTS
Crust

• 200 gr spéculoos
• 95 gr unsalted melted butter

Cheesecake Filling

• 600 gr cream cheese at room temperature
• 135 gr powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 400 ml cold heavy whipping cream
• 6 gelatine sheets
• 400 gr fresh mixed berries, I am using: strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and gooseberry

METHOD
Crust

• Using food processor, place spéculoos, pulse several times, add in unsalted melted butter, pulse again until well mixed
  

• Line the bottom a 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper
• Put the mixture in the springform pan, press with the back of spoon, set aside in the freezer for at least 10 minutes
  

Filling

• Place the mixed berries in a food processor, blend until it turns like a purée, set aside
  

• Put gelatine sheets to soften into cold water for 5 minutes

• In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, put cream cheese and powdered sugar, beat until smooth, scrape down the bowl, if you dont have one you may use hand mixer
  

• Add in vanilla extract, mix again

• In a small bowl, place ¼ cup of heavy cream, heat in microwave

• Take gelatine out, squeeze it and add it into the hot heavy cream, pour it into cream cheese and sugar mixture, mix them, then transfer to a clean bowl
  

• In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining heavy cream into whipped cream, incorporate it gently with cream cheese mixture
  

• Fold in berries purée, mix well
  

• Pour the mixture into the springform pan, flatten up the top with spatula
  

• Give a few hard taps to get any air bubbles out
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or better leave overnight in the fridge
• When it sets, unmould the springform pan by inserting a knife around the pan, decorate with fresh berries

If there's some leftover in the bowl, you might want to lick it :-D Just like I did, hehe.. It's sooooo good!

You only live once, lick the bowl :-D