This small-batch gluten-free cheesecake comes together in a snap and makes an easy, elegant anytime dessert. Top it with peaches in the summer, berries in the spring, or poached pears in the fall.
2-4tablespoons(30-60 ml) elderflower liqueur (such as St. Germain - optional)
Instructions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325ºF. Line an 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pan with a sling of parchment paper, leaving the edges overhanging slightly.
Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the butter, sugar, and salt. Press evenly into the bottom of the lined loaf pan and bake until golden and toasty, 8-12 minutes. Decrease the oven temperature to 300ºF.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the cream cheese on medium-low speed until smooth, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl and paddle once or twice. Add the sugar and salt and beat until smooth, another 2-3 minutes, scraping once or twice. Add the egg and repeat the beating and scraping, then beat in the lemon and vanilla. Scrape the filling into the pan. Bake at 300ºF until the cheesecake is slightly puffed on top and wobbles very slightly when you give it a wiggle, 30-40 minutes; the top should look dry and set.
While the cheesecake bakes, stir together the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Spread the sour cream mixture over the baked cheesecake and bake until the sour cream is set when you give it a shake, 10 more minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour, then chill until firm, 2-3 hours and up to 1 day.
To serve, combine the sliced peaches with the sugar and elderflower, adding more or less to your taste, and let sit 10 minutes to infuse. Use the parchment handles to remove the cheesecake from the pan to a cutting board (you may need to pry it out with a small offset spatula or butter knife) and use a large sharp chef’s knife to slice it into 6 – 8 pieces, running the knife under hot water and wiping it dry between each cut. Serve slices of cheesecake topped with the peaches and a spoonful of their juices.
The cheesecake is best within a day or two of baking when the crust is crisp, but leftovers will keep, airtight, for up to several days.
Notes
The genius loaf pan cheesecake recipe is adapted from Sweet and Simple.A few tips for cheesecake success: be sure to have your ingredients at room temperature lest you end up with lumpy cheesecake, and give the mixing bowl and beater a few good scrapings as specified. Keeping the mixer at medium-low prevents unsightly air pockets from creeping into your baked cheesecake.Nutritional values are based on one of two servings.