February 2015 | Recipes

A Recipe To Win The Heart of Your Valentine

If there is one thing a woman (or a man) loves on Valentines Day, it’s the romance or surprise of a gesture. So why not surprise your valentine by making this delicious dessert recipe that pairs perfectly with our Moscato d’Osoyoos. The stone fruit notes in the Moscato will compliment the creamy, sweet, apricot cheesecake squares, putting a smile on on both of your faces. And we all know smiling is sexy.

Recipe and photo provided by MarthaStewart.com

apricot cheesecake photo

 

Apricot Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

  • 18 graham crackers 
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • Coarse salt 
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 
  • 10 ounces apricots (about 4), halved, pitted, and cut into eighths 
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature 
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature 
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, process graham crackers, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Wipe processor bowl clean. With a flat-bottomed 1-cup measure or glass, press crumbs evenly into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake until crust is firm, 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325 degrees.
  2. In a small saucepan, bring apricots, 1/4 cup sugar, and pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is shiny, 10 minutes. In food processor, puree apricot mixture, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water.
  3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sour cream on medium until smooth. Add 3/4 cup sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and pinch of salt and beat to combine. Add eggs and beat until smooth, scraping down bowl as needed. Pour cream-cheese mixture into cooled crust and smooth top.
  4. Randomly drop small spoonfuls apricot puree on cream-cheese mixture. With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, gently swirl puree. Bake just until set, about 25 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan on rack, then refrigerate until chilled and firm before cutting into squares, 2 hours