Food & Drink

Laurie’s Goat Cheese, Pesto, and Fig Cheesecake

This unique cheesecake recipe is from Anne Byrn’s new cookbook. The fig and pesto combine to delight the senses, in this flexible recipe that is sure to please any dessert lover at your next gathering.

If you want just a sweet cheesecake, don’t include the pesto. If you want a savory one, don’t include the fig preserves. But if you want something really special, definitely include both.

Laurie’s Goat Cheese, Pesto, and Fig Cheesecake

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

Vegetable oil spray, for misting the loaf pan
4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup basil pesto
½ cup fig preserves
Sweet and Spicy Pecans, chopped
Plain unsalted crackers, such as Carr’s water crackers, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Lightly mist a 5½-by-3-inch (mini) loaf pan with vegetable oil spray, line it with waxed or parchment paper, and set it aside.
Place the goat cheese and cream cheese in a medium-size bowl and blend with an electric mixer on low speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Using a rubber spatula, lightly press the cheese mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon the pesto over the cheese mixture, spreading it out evenly. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheesecake until serving time, at least 1 hour.
Just before serving, remove the cheesecake from the fridge. Remove the plastic wrap and invert the cheesecake onto a serving plate. Spoon the preserves over the top. Top the cheesecake with the Sweet and Spicy Pecans, if desired, and serve with unsalted crackers.

NOTE

CHILL: 1 hour, or overnight

It’s Anne Byrn to the rescue! A problem-solver extraordinaire, Anne Byrn knows what every too-busy cook knows. There are a gazillion recipes in the world, but the right recipe, the recipe that always works, the lifesaving recipe for when times are crazy—that’s priceless.

Containing Anne Byrn’s own family favorites and recipes collected from her network of fans across the country, her Saves the Day! Cookbook presents 125 of these guaranteed tried-and-true recipes for every occasion.

With full-color photos throughout, this cookbook will be one to turn to again and again. And for not only its recipes but its ideas too, including money-saver tips, menu and serving suggestions, “Razzle-Dazzle” variations, do-ahead notes, and much more.