National Cheesecake Day (Cheesecake Ideas)

If you're looking for an excuse to eat more cheesecake, you'll be happy to know that Sunday is National Cheesecake Day. You could just go to your local Cheesecake Factory (half-off sale on any cheesecake slice for dine-in guests), but if you're feeling a bit more adventuresome, you can make one yourself.

I've listed below all the cheesecake recipes I've posted in the past for your viewing pleasure. A basic cheesecake recipe is like ice cream: it serves as an excellent palette for other flavors. Get creative!

Gluten Free Cheesecake Parfait Recipe

It's National Cheesecake Day this weekend and, though I’ve made many cheesecakes in the past, my goal was to put a new twist on the special dessert. Since we were invited to our friend Carol's home (she’s gluten intolerant), I decided to make my cheesecake gluten-free.

I made the mousse egg-free and flavored it with both raspberries and strawberries. For a contrast in texture, I added a layer of crunchy, diced yellow nectarines. And to make it look more fun, I topped the dessert cups with pistachio-flavored whipped cream and crushed pistachios. I don’t think anyone missed the crust. For those who could eat gluten, I slipped a ladyfinger cookie into the verrine. How amazing does that sound?

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe (Egg Free Dessert)

If you're searching for a no bake cheesecake recipe, look no more. It looks fancy but it's ultra easy to assemble. As a bonus, it's an egg-free dessert. So what's not to love? Give this mascarpone cheese dessert a try.

I flavored the cheesecake filling with strawberries and added bananas for a thicker texture. Instead of placing the cheesecake in a spring-form pan, I decided this time to shape the dessert in a long triangular mold I usually use for making terrines (French jellied meatloaf). I first covered the molds with store-bought Italian-style lady finger puffs and completed it with the strawberry-and-banana-flavored cheesecake filling. The presentation turned out pretty spectacular. You know the saying: you eat with your eyes first! 

Carrot Halwa Cheesecake Recipe

I just received a huge package of Walkers shortbread cookies (thanks so much Iza), and before my little munchkin goes through the entire package (she's already had 24 individual packets!), I wanted to prepare a sweet treat with them. I also had leftover carrot (gajar) halwa from a batch I made over Memorial Day weekend, so it made sense to combine the two items. After much deliberation, I decided to make an Indian-inspired cheesecake using the shortbread rounds. I mixed the halwa with cream cheese and cardamom syrup, then softened it with whipped cream and used the mixture as the filling. For the crust, I crushed several shortbread cookies and mixed them with butter.

The Indian flavors weren't overpowering at all. In fact they were actually quite subtle, and paired perfectly with the buttery flavor and mild sweetness of the shortbread crust. The dessert was a big hit,and has inspired me to try using both Indian sweets and shortbread in creative ways. Stay tuned!

Mango Cream Cheese Mousse Recipe

Mango cream cheese mousse is an ultra easy dessert. It doesn't require any cooking and can be prepared one day ahead so you can relax the day you're hosting your dinner party. The other cool thing about it is that the dessert is gluten free, making it a perfect option if one of your guests has a gluten allergy.

I flavored cream cheese with Alphonso mango pulp and added the same stabilizers I typically use in place of eggs (xanthan gum and lecithin). I also folded in some whipped cream so the mousse is light and airy. The interplay of the tanginess of the cream cheese with the sweetness of the mango is really incredible, and far more complex in flavor than I expected. The only negative about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make that I’m worried that we’ll be indulging in it more than we should (I served it in 3-ounce dessert cups). We’ll just have to spend more time exercizing!