Blood Orange Mini Cheesecakes

Wee little Blood Orange Mini Cheesecakes – get in my belly!

Is it raining again? It feels like winter will never end. Some days, I feel like I absolutely NEED to see a bright colour, or taste a bold flavour or I might turn into a mushroom. Aren’t we lucky ducks, because this time of year — smack dab in the middle of the dullest of days — it just so happens that it is citrus season!

Most citrus is at its best flavour and price right now. You have probably noticed many new and unusual varieties at your grocery lately. If you’ve never tried blood oranges before, do so now! These juicy orbs are sweet and fragrant. Inside, the orange can range in colour from dark pink to almost burgundy-black, however, there’s no difference in flavour.

This is a no-bake cheesecake — how easy is that? Mix the ingredients together, pour it on the crust, and refrigerate. That’s it! No worrying about cracked tops or over baking. The blood orange gelled topping is a ruby red jewel on top that adds a bright hit of citrus to counterbalance the richness of the cheesecake. The secret, “stealth health” ingredient to this cheesecake is... greek yogurt! I used 2%, but you could use fat free if that’s what you have. Greek yogurt contains more protein than regular yogurt. That makes this cheesecake, healthy, right? Right.

A spoonful of Oh My Goodness

Just for fun, I decided to make these into tiny mini cheesecakes, but you could make one full-sized cheesecake if you prefer. Can’t find blood oranges? Use oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit — whatever you can get. This is an easy, versatile recipe you will make again and again. I hope you find your brilliant bit of citrus to brighten your grey day. Cheers!

Click through for the recipe and instructions…

Dark Chocolate & Blood Orange Pots de Crème with Blood Orange Caramel Sauce

Dark Chocolate & Blood Orange Pots de Crème with Blood Orange Caramel Sauce

Happy Valentine's Day, sweeties!

Ingredient Gang Wars: Bloods vs. Dark Chocolate

Are you feeling romantic? Do you have some Plans of Love later today? I am staying home with my sweetie darling, hiding from the Love Fest and all of its heart-shaped pinkness. I sound cynical, but I'm not! We love to go out for date nights, but doing this on Valentine's Day is often more annoying than enjoyable.

I'm squishing your head!

Squeezed.

My Valentine's Day-at-home will probably look like a nice, home-cooked dinner, followed by a completely rich, decadent, fancy, chocolate dessert. I absolutely love pots de crème — a French custard that falls somewhere between pudding and mousse — and chocolate ones, especially. Just a few mouthfuls are all you need to satisfy that chocolate craving.

Keep pouring.

I somehow ended up with a bag of blood oranges, and needed a reason to use them. Into the pots de crème they go! The custard itself only uses the zest of one orange, so you can leave that out if you prefer. The blood orange caramel, however, is probably the best caramel I have ever made! You MUST make it. It takes a lot of juice — I needed five oranges to get enough — but the results are amazing. I hooted like a monkey when I tasted it for the first time.

Pass me that PO-duh-CREMM, merci

Instead of a traditional ramekin, I used small canning jars. This amount of custard is perfect — it won't fill you up or weigh you down. You know, in case you will be doing anything, uh, athletic, afterward.

Click through for the recipe and instructions.

Sugar High Sunday: Citrus

What's in season now, in the middle of winter? Citrus! Colourful, jewel-toned orbs; juicy and bursting with bright flavours. I have found a few interesting recipes for you to try — I know that I will definitely be trying them!

From Always With Butter: Blood Orange Bars and some seriously beautiful photography. 

Glug! Glug! Glug! Aaaahhhhh! Serve up a Grapefruit Margarita from Sweet Life in Texas. 

More grapefruit! From Whisk Kid: Grapefruit Poppy Seed Cupcakes with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam and Cream Cheese Swiss Meringue Buttercream. Oooooohhhh my goodness I think I just drooled all over myself typing that! 

Vegan Blood Orange Cupcakes from Shauna Sever

These look so delicious, I licked my screen: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies from Glorious Treats

Coconut and Citrus Cake from Bakers Royale 

Mmmmm Mini Lemon Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust, from Baking Bites 

Coconut Lime Bars

Here is a citrus recipe from me: Coconut Lime Bars 

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Lulu