Cheesecake Ideas for a Party

Traditional or progressive, cheesecakes augment most parties.

Cheesecakes have a versatility only limited by the cook. They are not limited to the traditional soft cream cheese and graham cracker crust, either. With myriad options concerning savory or sweet, tart-sized portions or full slices, cheesecakes fit into any party atmosphere. Pairing your cheesecakes with the drinks you’re serving, such as a floral white wine with an Italian-style cheesecake, can elevate your cheesecake, and your gathering, to another level.

Presentation

When presenting any food for a party, appetizer, main or dessert, you must take the number of guests into consideration when calculating portion size. Cheesecake offers the opportunity to serve your cheesecakes in individual portions by baking them in tart cups. Cheesecakes prepared in tart cups reduce food costs and allow you to serve more than one type of cheesecake with little waste. Allow two to three cheesecake cups per guest, and serve varying types of cheesecake. For instance, you could start off with a savory cheesecake, such as a basil and mascarpone, and finish with a sweet cheesecake, such as classic New York.

Varieties

The varieties of cheesecake possible are only limited by the cook. For example, if you wanted to take a regional route, such as Italian, when preparing your cheesecakes you would include an Italian cream cheese, such as mascarpone, combine it with another quality cheese, such as ricotta salata, and finish with a complementary liqueur, such as amaretto. Cheesecake is not limited to sweet preparations, however. Make a savory cheesecake by using a full-bodied cheese, such as Gruyere, cut it down with heavy cream, and finish it with finely minced herbs and a shaving of a hard, sharp cheese.

Traditional

You can put a special twist on traditional New York style cheesecake by including a liqueur, such as kirsch, in the batter, adding a crunchy element, such as chopped and toasted pistachios, and a creative facet, by pouring a dark food, such as molten chocolate, in the center of the cheesecake and using a wood pick to draw designs that will appear on the surface. Experiment with different crusts. Many cheesecake recipes call for a graham cracker crust. Try pulverizing biscotti, English allspice biscuits or a rich, crisp cookie of choice to elevate your cheesecake above the norm.

Pairings

Pair your cheesecakes with the drinks you will serve. For example, if you finish your cheesecakes with a touch of liqueur, such as cherry kirsch, serve a fruity, floral white wine, such as Riesling, alongside it. The wine will complement the cheesecake and the kirsch will bring out the wine’s subtle berry notes. Pair a matching beer or lager with a savory cheesecake. For instance, if you used Swiss Gruyere or finished your cheesecake with a shaving of pecorino, pair it with a wheat beer to highlight the complex flavors of the cheese.