Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake {Thanksgiving}

Print This Post Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake -- Special Occasion Dessert -- on the blog Shockingly Delicious

In this season of gratitude, one can never fully express the thanks necessary to cover all of the bases. Let me try anyway.

On Thursday I gave a shout out to my homies – husband, children, family, friends, neighbors, community — and basically the entire food chain (farmers, field hands, distributors, truckers, companies who sell and market to us, talented cooks and cookbook authors).

Whew. But that’s not all!

Today I would like to thank my extended food family, including all the followers and fans of Shockingly Delicious — without whom I would not be in this space — my fellow food bloggers in Los Angeles and farther afield, my beloved compadres at collectives such as SundaySupper, Secret Recipe Club, Twelve Loaves, BundtaMonth and The Salad Bar. You keep me on track, disciplined and most of all, cookin’ up a storm!

But wait…I also want to thank a different class of fellow foodies – professional chefs. I’ve been privileged to meet a few of them in the past few years, and one I particularly adore is pastry chef Kristine Bocchino, whose clean, pure flavors and sweet creations are the perfect ending to any meal.

I run into her each year at the Malibu Pie Contest as we are both (blush) picking up ribbons, but this year I couldn’t enter so I missed her. She was there, though, and snagged a 1^st place for her divine Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake.

Friends, this would be an amazing Thanksgiving or holiday time dessert (Christmas?), and it is easy to make if you have a springform pan (one with removable sides). Luckily, she is sharing the recipe with us today, so we can each be as big a star in our own kitchen as she is in her restaurant.

This won 1^st place – a blue ribbon – in the professional division of a pie contest. That’s just about all you need to know.

Thank YOU, Kristine!

Recipe: Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake

Summary: Indulgent, creamy, lightly lemony and pretty, this is an elegant comfort dessert for a special occasion. This won a 1st place Blue Ribbon in the professional division of the annual 2013 Malibu Pie Contest & Festival.

Ingredients

Crust

2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
9 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Filling

1 ½ pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
½ pound mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
5 eggs + 1 yolk
2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest*
2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste** (she finds it at Surfas in Culver City)

Crème Fraiche Glaze

¼ cup crème fraiche
1 teaspoon sugar

Berry Compote Topping

2 baskets blueberries, divided use
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 basket fresh raspberries

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Make crust: In a mixing bowl, toss together the crumbs, butter and cinnamon until all crumbs are slightly moist. Spray the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform cake pan or cake pan with removable bottom liberally with a good quality non-stick spray (she prefers Vegelene or Bakers Joy). Spread and pat down the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Set crust aside.
Make filling: In the bowl of a counter-top mixer (such as a KitchenAid or other brand) add cream cheese, mascarpone cheese and sugar. Mix on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides. Add eggs and yolk, one at a time, scraping the bottom and sides after each addition.
Add zest and vanilla and mix for 30 seconds. Pour mixture into the cake pan with crust, and bake at 350 degrees 60+/- minutes (until just set). When cake is done, remove from oven onto a rack to cool.
While cake is baking, make compote and glaze: Add 1 basket blueberries into a saucepan with sugar, butter and vanilla. Cook on low for about 5 minutes until berries pop and create a sauce. Remove from heat and cool. When cool, fold in remaining basket fresh blueberries and fresh raspberries. Set aside. For glaze, mix together crème fraiche and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
Once cheesecake is cooled, remove sides of pan and top cake with Crème Fraiche Glaze using a small offset spatula or back of a tablespoon, and then the Berry Compote. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water then quickly wiped dry, to get a clean cut. (Dip knife and wipe dry between cuts.)
Serves 12-14.

*Note: regular lemons may be used if Meyer lemons are not in season
**Note: pure vanilla extract may be substituted, but if at all possible, use the paste

Source

Recipe and photo by pastry chef Kristine Bocchino of V’s restaurant + bar in Malibu. She also does desserts for Duke’s in Malibu, Casa Escobar in Westlake and (coming soon) Casa Escobar in Malibu.

Sunday Supper

See this page for all the wonderful #SundaySupper dishes I have made since I joined this group, and links to all the other delicious dishes made by my fellow cooks.

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Diet type: Vegetarian
Number of servings (yield): 12-14
Culinary tradition: USA (General)

Our Thanksgiving and Hanukkah Recipes

This week our #SundaySupper blogger crew is all about giving thanks, hosted by Paula of Vintage Kitchen Notes. Check out the variety of things we have cooked up for you! Try this Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake or find something else from the menu below that floats your boat:

FIRST COURSE / APPETIZERS

Harvest Soup from Bea of The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Horseradish Cranberry & Herbed Cheese Bites from Jen of Juanita’s Cocina
Savory Rosemary Baklava with Brie from Christie of A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

SAVORY BREADS + STUFFING

Cloverleaf Rolls from Micha of Cookin’ Mimi
Freeze and Bake Buttermilk Biscuits from Stacy at Food Lust People Love
Picnic Roll from Linda of The Urban Mrs
Raspberry and Brie Crescent Rolls from Karen of In The Kitchen With KP
Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo and Craisins from Isabel at Family Foodie
Easy Gluten-Free Corn “Bread” Stuffing from Laura at Small Wallet Big Appetite

MAIN DISHES

Eggless Herb and Garlic Fresh Pasta from Sarah at What Smells So Good?
Honey Orange Turkey Breast from Cindy at Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

SIDE DISHES

Brussels Sprout Latkes from Susan at The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Cheesey Scalloped Potatoes from Shaina at Take A Bite Out Of Boca
Cornucopia Sweet Potato Barley Salad from Wendy at The Weekend Gourmet
Creamy Scalloped Corn from Alaiyo at Pescetarian Journal
Fried Smashed Potatoes from Renee at Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Grandpa’s Simple Stuffing from Bobbi at Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Green Beans with Pecans and Cranberries from Tara at Noshing With The Nolands
Honey and Cinnamon Glazed Sweet Potatoes from Jennifer at Peanut Butter and Peppers
Italian American Turkey Dressing from Anne at Webicurean
Loaded Mashed Potato Bake from Lori at Foxes Love Lemons
Maple Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter Pecan Topping from Brianne at Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Mushroom and Barley Casserole with Bacon, Gruyere and Spinach from Heather at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Blue Cheese from Sarah at Curious Cuisiniere

DESSERTS + SWEET BREADS

Almond Brioche Sticky Buns from Alice at Hip Foodie Mom
Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts from Nicole at Daily Dish Recipes
Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie from Cheryl at Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
Blue Ribbon Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake from Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Bourbon Pecan Pie from Julie at The Texan New Yorker
Chocolate Moussecake from Liz at That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Cinnamon Rolls from Conni at The Foodie Army Wife
Gingered Butternut Squash Tart from Renee of Magnolia Days
Hanukkah Lemon Star Cookies from Shannon at Killer Bunnies, Inc
Manischewitz, Cranberry Double Holiday Donuts from Kim at Ninja Baking
Mini Maple Sweet Potato Pies from Holly at Mess Makes Food
Mini Pumpkin Pies from Nichole at Casa de Crews
Mom’s Custard Pie from Courtney at Neighborfood
No Bake Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake from Tammi of Momma’s Meals
Plum and Blackberry Crumble from Katy at Happy Baking Days
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake from Heather at girlichef
Salted Butterscotch Pudding from Jane at Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Salted Caramel Apple Pie from Laura at Pies and Plots
Sweet Potato Gingersnap Pie from Paula at Vintage Kitchen Notes

All American Wine Pairing Guide for Being Thankful #SundaySupper from Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Join us around the family table for #SundaySupper

Twitter how-to: Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag throughout the day on Twitter to see our recipes. To join the conversation anytime, simply use the #SundaySupper hashtag to share your favorite tips and recipes.
Pinterest: Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more recipes and photos.
Join: To join the Sunday Supper Movement, sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

Tagged as: blueberries, Christmas dessert, cinnamon, cream cheese, dessert, eggs, mascarpone, Meyer lemon, raspberries, sugar, Thanksgiving dessert, unsalted butter, vanilla paste

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Next Comments →

Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons November 25, 2013 at 1:53 pm

Oh my gosh, Dorothy! I can’t wait to try this recipe, and I’m not normally one for cheesecakes. Now if only I could get my Meyer lemon plant growing a little faster….oh, screw it. I’ll get some Meyers at the grocery store so I can eat this sooner 🙂

Tammi @ Momma's Meals November 25, 2013 at 6:43 am

Dorothy, this looks devine!! Wow….I’d like a piece right now please!

Dorothy Reinhold November 25, 2013 at 11:44 am: Tammi,
Me too! I could eat it for breakfast!

Katy November 25, 2013 at 3:40 am

What a lovely, zingy addition to a Thansgiving meal! Lemon cheesecake is one of my favourite desserts, and with the strawberries it just looks beautiful!

Tara November 24, 2013 at 5:00 pm

Blue Ribbon winner all the way, what an amazing cheesecake!!

Nichole C November 24, 2013 at 3:57 pm

Cheesecake is my FAVE dessert, ever. This looks heavenly!

Laura November 24, 2013 at 1:24 pm

The Meyer Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake was good enough for me to already be in love with this pie, but then you go and top it off with strawberries and now I think I definitely need to make this a new traditional at Thanksgiving.