Sunday, April 27, 2008

April Pops

For my 201st post, return with me now to the Land of St. Honore':









This recipe is an adaptation of one from Jill O’Connors wonderful book called ”Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey.” It is a super pretty book as well as having recipes that are pure indulgence.
My co-hostess Deborah of Taste and Tell owns the book, too and we both wanted to make them, so thought they might make a good Daring Baker challenge for April. I hope you enjoy these confections. Deborah has been such a fantastic hostess on this challenge, plus she is a great blogger and a very supportive one for other bloggers. Do visit her site first.

You can find the recipe at Taste and Tell or you can go to the bottom of this post to the recipe. Be sure to use the Daring Baker’s Blogroll to check out as many as possible of the hundreds of wonderful renditions of these darling Cheesecake Pops.

As the Daring Bakers have grown, the talent and creativity of the group has grown, too. There are some truly amazing bakers who are Daring Bakers, too. It’s been a privilege to be a co-hostess this month for such a group.



Cheesecake Pops
Makes 30 – 40 Pops

5 8-oz. packages cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
5 large eggs
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ cup heavy cream
Boiling water as needed
Thirty to forty 8-inch lollipop sticks
1 pound chocolate, finely chopped – you can use all one kind or half and half of dark, milk, or white (Alternately, you can use 1 pound of flavored coatings, also known as summer coating, confectionary coating or wafer chocolate – candy supply stores carry colors, as well as the three kinds of chocolate.)
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
(Note: White chocolate is harder to use this way, but not impossible)

Assorted decorations such as chopped nuts, colored jimmies, crushed peppermints, mini chocolate chips, sanding sugars, dragees) - Optional

Position oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer set at low speed, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and salt until smooth. Add the whole eggs and the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well (but still at lwo speed) after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and cream.

Lightly grease a 10-inch cake pan (not a springform pan). Pour the cheesecake batter into the cake pan and place in a larger roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake until the cheesecake is firm and slightly goldenon top, 35 to 45 minutes.

Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and cool to room temperature. Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until very cold, at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

When cold and very firm, scoop the cheesecake into 2-ounce balls and place on a parchemtn paper-lined baking sheet. Carefully insert a lollipop stick into each cheesecake ball. Freeze the pops, uncovered, until very hard, at least 1 – 2 hours.

When the cheesecake pops are frozen and ready for dipping, prepare the chocolate. In the top of a double boiler, set over simmering water, or in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, heat half the chocolate and half the shortening, stirring often, until chocolate is melted and chocolate and shortening are combined. Stir until completely smooth. Save the rest of the chocolate and shortening for later dipping, or use another type of chocolate for variety.

Alternately, you can microwave the same amount of chocolate coating pieces on high at 30 second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Quickly dip a frozen cheesecake pop in the melted chocolate, swirling quickly to coat it completely. Shake off any excess into the melted chocolate. If you like, you can now roll the pops quickly in optional decorations. You can also drizzle them with a contrasting color of melted chocolate (dark chocolate drizzled over milk chocolate or white chocolate over dark chocolate, etc.) Place the pop on a clean parchment paper-lined baking sheet to set. Repeat with remaining pops, melting more chocolate and shortening (or confectionary chocolate pieces) as needed.

Refrigerate the pops for up to 24 hours, until ready to serve.
Introduction from Deborah & Elle

These cute little bites of cheesecake, held on a stick and dipped in chocolate and, if you like, decorations, are sure to make you smile. The cheesecake is New York style, the pops can be jazzed up with different toppings, and they are FUN…just right for a party. They are from Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O’Connor. Isn’t that an alluring title for a cookbook?

We wanted to pick something that had potential for putting your personal stamp on. We like them for a challenge because the recipe for the cheesecake part makes use of the concept of a water bath, an essential tool for bakers, plus there are many ways to personalize them. And they are cheesecake!! The photo in the book showed the lollipop sticks twined with pretty ribbons and bows, too.

It is unclear if this recipe can be halved. A key thing is that the cheesecake be in a pan where it bakes deep enough to scoop out the balls.

Allowed Variations. Yes you can make some changes to this cheesecake as long as you promise to use the basic cheesecake recipe (although you can add a flavor to it if you like) and do keep it white (sorry, no chocolate or coffee or mocha), and keep the pops to the 2 ounce size.
The dipping flavors and colors are completely up to you.
If you want to use decorations, go for it. Same with drizzles and ribbons on the sticks. Or leave them plain after dipping them.
You can cut the cheesecake into geometric shapes instead of making balls…triangles or squares or diamonds…just keep them about 2 ounces each. We can't wait to see what combinations our Daring Baker come up with…just make sure to use the basic cheesecake recipe, to make the pops 2 ounces or close to that in size, and to dip each pop in chocolate or confectionary coating and have it on a lollipop stick.

94 comments :

  1. pretty, pretty pops, Elle! Thanks for the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for a wonderful challenge. your pops look great-they inspired us all!
    clever post with the poetry, too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You Daring Baker's have such fun! These are simply adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful writing presentation with the napkin in the background! Thank you so much for hosting this month and giving us a great recipe. It was a hit with the teachers at school and opened some doors for orders..who knew! :)
    Ciao,
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  5. I do always love your stories - and this one fits so perfectly! I just have to thank you again for letting me co-host with you this month. You chose such a wonderful recipe, and I have been having so much fun reading about others experiences!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great pick for this month! Thanks so much for hosting this challenge. I have loved seeing everyones creativity come out thru their pops!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:37 PM

    Elle, your pops are so cute. Thanks for co-hosting! This was a fun choice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous5:01 PM

    Your pops are gorgeous. Thanks so much for hosting! This was a great challenge and cheesecake is always good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your pops are gorgeous and I love your poem! Thank you for hosting this month. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are so talented and your cheeseacke pops are beautiful! I always love your stories and usually go back twice just so that I can read your story again =D! Thank you both for such a great Daring Baker Challenge! =D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Elle,
    You are great! Thanks for hosting! The recipe was wonderful and I'M ADDICTED TO THEM!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there Elle...thanks for cohosting the April challenge & for the great choice! It was a fun challenge & your pops are truly beautiful! Each pop is enticing & perfect!! Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  13. When the challenge was with your beautiful triangular pop, that sort of inspired me to make tiny cheesecake slices! Too bad my cheesecake can't be cut! heeeheee

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your story and your pops! Great challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:41 PM

    Thanks so much for a fun and delicious challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for a great challenge! Your pops look delish.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for such a lovely event!!! I don't know how I'll ever enjoy normal cheesecake again!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. thanks for the recipe. it was fun.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hope your time away was restful and welcome back. I did see the book last time I was at Barnes & Noble, and it is soooo cute, but I resisted. Thanks for this month's challenge -- much enjoyed and so many ideas simmering for trying it again. I've never met a cheesecake I could turn down!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous6:42 PM

    Thanks Elle! Your challenge was fun and your site is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for the wonderful recipe pick. It was so much fun!
    Yours came out wonderful! And I love the fairy tale that went with it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Once again your story is just fantastic...so Goldilocks! ;-) You did a great job of the pops. I didn't get to do it this time, but can't wait for the next one.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for being a wonderful co host and giving us a fun challenge that brought out the kid in us.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous7:30 PM

    Just lovely! Thanks for a most wonderful [and tasty] challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous7:31 PM

    Thanks for co-hosting this month's DB challenge! I love your Land of St. Honore's story. Very creative :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love your story - kinda like Goldilocks and the 3 bears with a happy ending. Thanks for this month's challenge - these pops are the cutest thing ever, and they taste devine!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for choosing such a fabulous and fun challenge for us, Elle! You and Deborah were lovely hostesses!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for a great challenge. And of course your pops look fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the challenge! I love the pyramid-shaped ones!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Elle, you and Deborah chose a terrificly fun recipe for April! I love how yours turned out...so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for being a wonderful host this month! I love your triangle pops the best - when my little guy is older I know that I'll be making this again with shapes! :) And the pastel colors of the confetti sprinkles are precious; they look perfect for a little spring garden party! They are indeed, just right.

    Best,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for the challenge! It was fun! Although I wish mine looked as good as yours! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. this was a great challenge, and everyone did a beautful job with it! thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  34. It was a very creamy cheesecake. Fun stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hiya Elle,

    Love the presentation of the stories! Thanks for a fun challenge this month!

    Pix

    ReplyDelete
  36. Another charming DB post. I enjoy them so much! Your pops are adorable too! Thanks for hosting this month and for such a fun challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  37. This was simply wonderful FUN. Thank you so very much for a wonderful challenge!
    Love your pops. They're like a party all by themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  38. What pretty pops! I love the different shapes and great decorations! Very well done!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would have never made a cheesecake pop if not for this challenge...thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Lovely post and pops! Thanks for hosting this month!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Celebrate the scooper! What a perfect theme for a party, as were these pops. Thanks for the challenge Elle!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Elle, thanks for hosting this fun challenge. Great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Such pretty pops, Elle...thanks for choosing this fun challenge :-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous3:19 AM

    I've spent the past hour cruising all these wonderful Daring Baker cheesecake pop blogs. Wow, you all seem to be having a great time with this! I want to play!

    Your photos and descriptions are lovely. I'm impressed and love your blog! Glad I found you.

    Melissa

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you for the great challenge. My eight year old loved every lick of it - he licked the counter top afterward!

    ReplyDelete
  46. This was a great challenge Elle, and thank you so much for your comment pre-my posting, that is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Ditto what everyone else has been saying. Thanks for picking such an interesting and creative challenge :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Ooh what pretty cute pops Elle!! Many thanks for such a fun packed challenge :)

    Rosie x

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous5:29 AM

    Elle, Thanks for a Great first Challenge, I feel a bit remiss that I didn't credit you and Deborah as Hostesses. Judging from your choice I would RSVP to any event you guys host as I am sure it would be fun and festive!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I love this post!! Great looking pops! Thanks for choosing a great challenge recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Very cute! With those bright colored sprinkles they almost look like cartoons! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I had a lot of fun making these! Thanks for the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  53. It is the pictures of these pops that kept me inspired throughout the month, they are so beautiful! Thanks for hosting a great challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thanks for this wonderful recipe it was not a challenge (well I had to work hard but had a great time making the pops) IT WAS A GIFT this cheesecake is perfect. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous7:13 AM

    Thanks for the fun challenge! I certainly enjoyed my pops, and yours look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Your pops were inspiring! Thank you for such a fun challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  57. This challenge was so fun! I had a great time making the pops. Yours look adorable:) Cute poem!

    ReplyDelete
  58. i don't know if it's the humidity in these tropical parts but your chocolate looks flawless! no sweating at all! Thanks for a great challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I ALWAYS look forward to your story of the land of St. Honore. :-)
    And thank you, not just for hosting this month, but also for giving a little history to how this recipe came about. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks for the challenge.
    Your balls/triangles look amazing.
    Great work.

    Iisha of
    http://thefablifeofi2daj.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. i think your post is just right! i really enjoyed reading it and i do think those pops are so cute. thanks for hosting!! this has been my family's fave since i started in january! great choice!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Your cheesecake pops look wonderful! Thank you for hosting a great challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  63. thanks for this challenge..love cheesecake, love food on a stick thanks for bringing the two together!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thanks for the amazing pops! They were so much fun to make and next time I'll try the triangle shapes!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Great job! You pops definately do look "just right." Thanks for a great challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Colorful and gorgeous pops! thanks so much for this fun challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Thanks for this month challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Beautifully done! I love the way your pops pop. Great job hosting this challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  69. oh wow! Great challenge! I love the heart shaped sprinkles! So cuuute!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anonymous4:36 PM

    Beautiful! These are too cute for words.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Love the post, Elle! And of course I looooooooove the pops!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Thanks for the great challenge!
    it was fun to do
    Sakya

    ReplyDelete
  73. Thanks for picking this recipe, Elle! It was fun to do and has tons of potential uses!

    ReplyDelete
  74. This was such a fun challenge for my first one. Thanks! And now I have a great new recipe added to our keepers, too!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Thanks for hosting this wonderful challenge! The pops were super-fun and delicious. Great job on yours!

    ReplyDelete
  76. How absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for hosting the challenge this month. I wasn't keen on it at first, but I'm glad I did it because in the end, it was fun :) xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  77. I love your pops - and your writing. Your blog is great! Thanks for choosing such a great challenge. It was fun!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Elle! Thanks for the great challenge. Your pops look just lovely and as usual, I love the writeup!

    ReplyDelete
  79. What a whimsy and wonderful post! Adorable..thanks for a great challenge..I loved it!!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Thank you for hosting! Your pops look beautiful---

    ReplyDelete
  81. Elle, thanks for hosting such a great event with a great recipe. I really had fun with this.

    Loving your fairy tale style recipe too!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Anonymous8:58 AM

    I just discovered the Daring Bakers today. I can't wait to join, and to try this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Your pops look amazing! Thanks for picking a fun and tasty challenge this month

    ReplyDelete
  84. Thanks for hosting a fun challenge! Hope your trip was fun- your pops are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Elle, what a fun post! Your pops look really cute.

    Thanks again for a great challenge!

    Christina ~ She Runs, She Eats

    ReplyDelete
  86. Thank you so much for your encouring words. I think I will give them another shot, but this time use half quantities; also I've got lots of tips from all the beautiful blogs so I will unashamedly use some of them. Heather

    ReplyDelete
  87. checked out your blog--very interesting and your pictures are great...I'll be back

    ReplyDelete
  88. This was such a fun challenge, thanks for hosting it! I love your pops and your story, so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  89. LOVE LOVE LOVE these - - my whole family thought they ROCKED (me too!) Yours are awesome... i have pop-envy!

    ReplyDelete
  90. yummy!!! Thanks for visiting my blog! (that was a special treat!) I love the ones that you cut into squares..I was lucky to get them rolled (scooping was not working right for me). Great job, I loved eating these, the dark chocolate and the perfect cheesecake were incredible.

    guess what!?: I don't even like cheesecake!! BUt these were so much better than cheesecake...I made my chocolate really thick to give it a stout dose of chocolate. Oh, wow....incredible! seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Thanks so much for hosting this one- I absolutely was 100% excited about the choice in recipe! They were so fun to do :)

    ReplyDelete
  92. Anonymous3:13 AM

    LOVE your story/poem for these pops. You make them soooo personal like they had feelings!
    Thanks for a wonderful choice this month and all the nice words you said about mine. You Rock!

    ReplyDelete
  93. I want to add my voice to the chorus of thanks for hosting this month's challenge. Your selection ranks right up there with the bostini cream pies as one of the most *fun* challenges I've participated in so far. And I love your fairy tale presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  94. The pops were a real treat. Thank you for such a great challenge -fun and super delish! Yours are adorable!

    ReplyDelete