Saturday, October 25, 2008

Calling all Paula Deen fans!

I know there are many of us who love comfort food and enjoy Paula Deen's cooking. We all know her food is pretty fattening for the most part but once in a while it's a nice treat. There are several recipes of hers that I make, but today I thought I'd share one of my favorites. It's for mini cherry cheesecakes, and they are always such a hit! Below is a picture of them when I served them to some of my girlfriends at a tea party I had at home. Click on the picture to see them up close. Hope you enjoy them!



Mini cherry cheesecakes

2 packages (8 oz each) regular cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
12 vanilla wafers (Nilla or other brand)
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling, or blueberry filling (you won't need the whole can)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Place a paper muffin liner in each cup of a regular-size muffin pan. Lay a vanilla wafer, flat side down, in each of the muffin cups (this acts as the crust).

Beat the room-temperature cream cheese with a hand-held electrical mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla extract, beating well.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the vanilla wafers and fill each muffin cup.

Bake for 20 minutes, then let them cool in the pan (on the counter) for 20 minutes. As the cheesecakes cool, they will "deflate" a bit on the top, creating room for the pie filling.

Refrigerate until cool, at least one hour (I leave them in the pan and put the pan in the fridge). Then remove each cheesecake from the pan, spoon the pie filling in the center and either serve right away or keep refrigerated in a tupperware container until ready to serve but do not freeze.

Many sweet blessings!

24 comments:

Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} said...

Oooh, those look yummy! Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to reading more of yours! Have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Oh, they look wonderful....yummy!

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog ...the 60 miles I drive are what I cover in a whole day...15 miles there and back, twice. Sounds like you drive a lot too! See you when I get back from my bloggy break!

God bless,
love, Tina :)

Carol said...

Hi Melody,
Thank you so much for stopping by & leaving a comment! I hope you stop by again soon.
I love cheesecake & Paula Deen! I look forward to trying this recipe. I'll be visiting again soon to check out your latest post.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Carol

Girl Raised in the South said...

I'm a BIG Paula Deene fan, love every single recipe of hers I've ever tried. Even she says you can't eat her food all the time, but she advises that when you do, just go with the butter and enjoy the experience and then lighten up for a day or so. Good advice I think.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, I just love Paula! Thank you for stopping by to visit and I hope you'll come back often. I have a really hard time keeping up with all the new people on my blog, but it's so nice to meet you.

Nanette said...

They look so good!
Valerie

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I'm a Paula fan too.

I've made the mini cheesecakes but it's been a while. They are good, and that's why I don't make them very often - because I eat them!

Have a blessed Sunday, Melody. ;o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Islandsparrow said...

What a lovely recipe - very easy and so pretty! Thanks for sharing it. I'll be making these for sure.

the voice of melody said...

Diane, I don't make these often either because they're so good. It's really impossible to eat just one! :)

FrenchGardenHouse said...

These do look wonderful! Thanks so much for visiting me, so I could "meet" you here, too. :)
xo Lidy

Lib said...

Hi,
Welcome to Bloggyland!Thank You for visiting and leaving me a comment. Hope you will visit again soon!
I enjoyed my visit here!
Blessins',Lib

manon 21 said...

merçi pour la découverte de mon blog.
comme il est nouveau ,j'adore avoir un commentaire!!!
a bientôt
Manon

Elizabethd said...

Those look irresistible! But maybe fattening too........oh go on, pass the plate!

Anonymous said...

Paula is my hero. I seen her live and it was great. I just got her new childrens book for my granddaughter.

Brooke said...

Well, how bad can 16 ounces of cream cheese and a cup of sugar be? :) I can't decide which to try first...these yummy little cakes or your delicious looking coconut bars. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. Welcome to blog world, and keep sharing these wonderful recipes!

Linds said...

They look absolutely delicious! I have come to think that even looking at photos makes the calories zoom onto my hips. Sigh.

Thanks for visiting! I love meeting new friends!

Gretchen said...

Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Oh they look scruptuous!

I may have to make these for Christmas or for DH's b'day. He lurves cheesecake.

Anonymous said...

Oh, they look yummy. It looks like your blog is off to a great start! I hope that you enjoy blogging. :)

Thanks for your kind comments at my blog. Have a wonderful day!

Jennifer

Susie said...

These look so easy & delish :) I'm a Paula Fan, but just can't eat too much of her yummy goodies!

Lib said...

Hi,
Just dropped by to let you know I added you to my blog roll.
Thanks and Blessins',Lib

the voice of melody said...

Thanks so much for the great comments ladies! I have many more recipes up my sleeve so I hope you'll check back often.

And Lib, thanks for adding me to your blogroll. How sweet of you!

Many sweet blessings everyone!

Vee said...

Thank you for your recent visit and for leaving a comment. Welcome to Blogdom! I know that you'll find it to be a wonderful, cheery place.

Jennifer said...

mmmmm YUM! those will definitely be added to my "to make" list :o) Paula Dean is one smart lady!

Glad to see you visited my little blog. Welcome to the world of blogging! It's definitely addicting and yet has been one of the most surprising blessings as well.

Can't wait to read more! Have a wonderful week!

~Jenn

Nancy Rosalina said...

OOOH, another Paula fan! I love Paula! Those cheese cake cups look delish! I want to thank you for coming by and leaving me a comment! I will add you to my blog list! Love you blog! Nancy