Elegant Layered Cheese Cake
Delight your guests with this sophisticated layered cheese torta, featuring a creamy blend of cheeses, rich blue notes, and a hint of sweetness from crushed pineapple. The artful presentation is achieved by creating three vibrant layers, making this a stunning centerpiece for any gathering. Each component is skillfully crafted to ensure the flavors complement one another perfectly. With a robust crunch from pecans and a smoky touch from bacon, this dish is sure to be a hit. Remember to allow ample chill time to set the flavors before serving. Pair it with ginger snaps or assorted crackers for a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
Blue cheese
1/4 cup (crumbled)
Crushed pineapple
1 (18 ounce) can (drained)
Ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon
Pecans
1/2 cup (chopped)
Cream cheese
1 (3 ounce) package (softened)
Milk
1/3 cup
Cheddar cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Bacon
6 slices (cooked and crumbled)
Grated onion
1 teaspoon
Hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon
Chopped pecans
to taste (for garnish)
Fresh parsley sprig
for garnish
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese, drained crushed pineapple, and ground ginger. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium speed until smooth and well blended. Stir in the chopped pecans.
2
Prepare your serving mold by lining a lightly greased 4-cup fluted mold or a 7 3/8 x 3 5/8-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, ensuring that the edges hang over the sides for easy removal later.
3
Spread one-third of the blue cheese mixture into the bottom of the prepared mold. Smooth the top and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
4
While the first layer chills, in a separate bowl, combine the remaining 3-ounce package of softened cream cheese and milk. Beat until creamy. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, grated onion, and hot sauce, mixing well to combine.
5
After the first layer has chilled, evenly spread the cheddar mixture over the blue cheese layer in the mold. Smooth well to create an even layer.
6
Top the cheddar layer with the remaining two-thirds of the blue cheese mixture, spreading it evenly over the top. Cover the mold with the overhanging plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours, or up to 3 days for the best flavor development.
7
When ready to serve, carefully unmold the torta onto a serving plate, gently peeling away the plastic wrap. Garnish with additional chopped pecans and sprigs of fresh parsley.
8
Serve with a selection of ginger snaps or assorted crackers for the perfect accompaniment.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Elegant Layered Cheese Cake?
It is a sophisticated layered cheese torta featuring a creamy blend of cheeses, rich blue notes, and a hint of sweetness from crushed pineapple, garnished with pecans and bacon.
What types of cheese are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses an 8-ounce package and a 3-ounce package of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
How many layers does the cheese cake have?
The torta consists of three vibrant layers: a bottom layer of the blue cheese mixture, a middle layer of the cheddar mixture, and a top layer of the remaining blue cheese mixture.
How long does the cheese cake need to chill?
The first layer needs to chill for 1 hour. Once fully assembled, the entire cake should chill for at least 8 hours, or up to 3 days for the best flavor development.
What are the suggested accompaniments for serving?
It is recommended to serve the cheese cake with a selection of ginger snaps or assorted crackers for a balance of textures and tastes.
Does the recipe contain meat?
Yes, the cheddar cheese layer includes 6 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon.
What kind of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped pecans in the mixture and additional chopped pecans for garnish.
What size mold or pan is needed?
You can use a 4-cup fluted mold or a 7 3/8 x 3 5/8-inch loaf pan.
How should the mold be prepared?
Lightly grease the mold or pan and line it with plastic wrap, ensuring the edges hang over the sides for easy removal.
What is the main flavor profile of the blue cheese mixture?
The blue cheese layer combines cream cheese, blue cheese, drained crushed pineapple, ground ginger, and chopped pecans.
What ingredients are in the cheddar cheese layer?
The cheddar layer contains cream cheese, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, grated onion, and hot sauce.
Is there any fruit in this savory cheese cake?
Yes, one 18-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple is included in the blue cheese mixture.
How do you unmold the cheese cake?
When ready to serve, carefully unmold the torta onto a serving plate and gently peel away the plastic wrap.
What type of ginger is used?
The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made up to 3 days in advance for the best flavor development.
How should the cream cheese be prepared before mixing?
The cream cheese should be softened to ensure it beats into a smooth and well-blended mixture.
Is there any spice added to the cheddar layer?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of hot sauce is added to the cheddar cheese mixture.
What provides the crunch in this dish?
The crunch comes from both the chopped pecans and the crumbled bacon.
What is the purpose of the plastic wrap?
The plastic wrap is used to line the mold to ensure the layered cheese cake can be easily removed and maintain its presentation.
What are the garnishing instructions?
Garnish the unmolded torta with additional chopped pecans and sprigs of fresh parsley.
How do you mix the blue cheese layer?
Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese, blue cheese, pineapple, and ginger until smooth, then stir in the pecans.
What is the first step in assembling the layers?
The first step is spreading one-third of the blue cheese mixture into the bottom of the prepared mold.
What liquid is used to thin the cheddar layer?
1/3 cup of milk is combined with the smaller package of cream cheese to create a creamy base for the cheddar layer.
How much bacon is required?
The recipe requires 6 slices of bacon that have been cooked and crumbled.
What type of onion should be used?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of grated onion for the cheddar layer.
Is the pineapple used fresh or canned?
The recipe calls for one 18-ounce can of crushed pineapple, which must be drained before use.
How much hot sauce is included?
1/4 teaspoon of hot sauce is added to provide a subtle kick to the cheddar layer.
How many packages of cream cheese are needed in total?
Two packages are needed: one 8-ounce package for the blue cheese layer and one 3-ounce package for the cheddar layer.
How much cheddar cheese is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
Can I use a fluted mold for this recipe?
Yes, a lightly greased 4-cup fluted mold is one of the recommended options for creating an artful presentation.