Thursday, January 07, 2010

Cheese Pie with Peaches

A simple dessert that will satisfy your cheese cake cravings without going overboard with the calories. And making it is as easy as, well, pie!

Cheese Pie with Peaches

cheese pie with peaches
This isn’t a savory cheese pie like a spinach or a tomato cheese pie. It’s a dessert recipe I got from my Third Aunt a long time ago. It’s really very similar to a cheese cake except that the base is made using crushed Marie biscuits. You also don’t use as much cream cheese (only one 250g block) as most cheese cake recipes. And I would say it’s not as rich as a New York-style cheese cake.
Unlike some previous cheese cake attempts, I have never had any cracking issues when baking this cheese pie. I’ve even over-baked it a few times and it still comes out pretty good. So for those who don’t like the hassle of a bain marie (water bath) or if you like cheese cakes but would rather have a lighter version, this is the recipe for you.

Tips and Techniques

To make the cheese pie crust, you need to crush some Marie biscuits (if you cannot find Marie biscuits, cream crackers will work just as well, I imagine). Now normally, I would use a food processor to just blend them up. However, now that I’m in Malaysia, I haven’t had a chance to get myself a food processor. Thankfully, the mortar and pestle has been seriously handy in all my food preps. And even though it’s a lot more humbug, it does the job just as well.
marie biscuitscrushing marie biscuits
Besides the cream cheese filling, my aunt used to always add canned peaches to the pie. You could use peaches, apricots, mandarin oranges, cherries or even sliced pineapple. And once the pie is baked, you can also decorate the top with more canned fruit. Of course, if you want to use fresh fruit to decorate the top of your pie, you definitely can. I don’t recommend using fresh fruit in the filling part as the fresh fruit will cause the filling to become too watery.

Cream Cheese Pie with Peaches

Ingredients:
For the crust:
150g Marie biscuits, finely ground
62g butter, melted

For the filling:
250g cream cheese, at room temperature
4 oz sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp gelatin dissolved in 2 Tbsp hot water
1 can sliced peaches (you may have leftovers)

Method:
1. Mix ground Marie crackers with melted butter evenly. Press into a 9 inch pan and up the sides. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
marie biscuits pie crust
2. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
3. Beat cream cheese with sugar until well mixed.
4. Add egg and vanilla and mix till incorporated.

cheese pie filling

5. Add in the dissolved gelatine.
6. Arrange peaches on the crust. Pour cream cheese mixture over the peaches.

peach slices in cheese piepouring cheese pie filling
7. Bake pie for about 20-25 minutes until just brown on the edges of the pie (mine was just a little overbaked).
8. Cool the pie and then decorate with more fruit if desired.

baked cheese pie with peaches
Enjoy!
Cheers, Annie

Hungry for more desserts? Click below:

Easy Green Tea Tiramisu Recipe
Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
Pavlova Recipe
Es Teler - A Cool Indonesian Dessert
Honeydew Sago Dessert Recipe: A Refreshing Summer Treat!

11 comments:

  1. light cheesecake version... will try the recipe one day thanks.

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  2. Two photos - the canned peace slices fanned out on the bottom of the crust and you scooping out the filling - just triggered a very faint childhood memory. We used to buy a similar looking pie from SF Chinatown, but probably not with cream cheese. I must try this... after we finish the last of the dirt cookies. And I've tabled making the almond cookies until CNY, when the flavor matches the occasion more appropriately. Time for my delicious beef-flavored Top Ramen lunch now! =)

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  3. Although I love cheesecake, it can be so very heavy. Nice to have this lighter-textured version for those days when you want something decadent, but not so brick-like. ;)

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  4. I like the biscuits that you used with your crust! They really are so unique! And the peaches, I love it too!

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  5. Gorgeous looking pie!! Must taste really good!! Sounds refreshing to me!

    Pei-Lin

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  6. I'm still searching for a pie recipe as I have never tried one before. This one sounds great. I feel like doing it now. Tks for sharing. It looks so delicious and beautiful!

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  7. Haven't made cheesecake for a long time. Love combo with peaches! I have learnt one with some addition of peach liqueur too!

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  8. happy new year to both of you and the kids! sorry for the late greeting cos only found time to surf now

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  9. Anonymous3:43 PM

    Great cheesecake recipe! Love the pictures. Wonderful recipe.

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  10. @all - thanks for your comments!

    @Indonesia-Eats - do let us know how you like it!

    @J - I wonder what that childhood pie was.

    @Carolyn - the beauty of this pie is, you're not left feeling all stuffed and gross after finishing a slice.

    @organic baby crib - thanks!

    @Dodol & Mochi - yes, the peaches are a nice, sweet touch.

    @Food for Tots - please try out our recipe and let us know how it goes for you.

    @Janet - oooh, peach liqueur! Nice.

    @Babe_KL - hope to catch up with you soon!

    @Ellie - thanks!

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  11. Not having to worry that it may crack? I'm all for it! Although I guess I'll still have to get a scale or do some of converting =(. I know, I know, you've made your point for the scale in at least 2 posts already =). Shame on me for not having one already =).

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