This cheesecake highlights the volatile flavor of the pawpaw and goes together in 15 minutes or less. It is a lowfat cheesecake but can be adapted to be more decadent. This cheesecake is best eaten in 24 hours or frozen and thawed. Lemon juice helps preserve the color of the pawpaw fruit that will oxidize and brown at room temperature.
| Prep 15 min |
Cook |
Total Time 2 hr 15 min |
1/2 cup sugar
1 package unflavored gelatin (Knox)
1/2 cup near-boiling water
1-2 cups thawed or fresh pawpaw pulp (keep chilled until added)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 - 8-ounce package of Neufchatel cheese (cream cheese can be used)
1 teaspoon vanilla
8-inch pie crust, prebaked
1. Prepare prebaked 8-inch pie crust or containers lined with graham cracker crust.
2. Mix sugar and gelatin in small container. Add hot water to dissolve gelatin. Give gelatin 5 minutes to completely dissolve. Stir occasionally.
3. In food processor (or by hand), beat pawpaw pulp and lemon juice until smooth. Add cheese and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Slowly add liquid sugar / gelatin mixture to cheese / pawpaw. Mix completely. Depending on the temperature of the pawpaw / cheese mixture, this may start setting up immediately. Pour into pie shell or containers. Garnish with graham cracker crumbs, tiny nut pieces or chocolate bits. Chill or freeze immediately. See notes above.
