Michigan No-bake Cherry Cheesecakes in a Jar
Recipe by: Bobbi Jo Lathan
Recipe type: Dessert
The fabulous King Orchards (www.kingorchards.com) are located on the northern edge of Michigan’s famed cherry-growing region, atop glacier-formed ridges and rolling hills near Torch Lake and Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. Brothers John and Jim King, along with their wives Betsy and Rose and their children, have been growing fruit in Northern Michigan for more than 30 years. They are a first-generation farming family, growing into their second. Thank you, King Orchards! Your Montmorency cherries are the best!!
PREP TIME
20 mins
TOTAL TIME
20 mins
SERVES
6 cherry lovers
INGREDIENTS
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10-12 graham crackers crushed)
1 teaspoon sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
6 (one-half pint) mason jars or glasses
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (21 oz.) King Orchards Very Cherry Pie Filling
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour the crushed graham cracker crumbs into a bowl. Add the sugar and blend well.
Add the melted butter and mix it into the graham cracker crumbs until blended.
Spoon out the graham-cracker mixture and evenly distribute the mixture into the bottom of each Mason jar. (You can use a martini glass if you want them to be fancy.) Gently press the graham-cracker mixture down.
In another bowl, mix together (with a hand mixer or a whisk) the cream cheese, condensed milk, lemon juice and vanilla until completely blended and creamy. (And, of course, eat a spoonful because you know how good it tastes!)
Pour or spoon the cream cheese mixture over the prepared graham cracker crusts. Leave about 2 inches from the top of each jar so you can top it with the cherry pie filling.
Top each little jar of cheesecake with the cherry pie filling. Screw the lid on each jar (or cover glasses) and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
Now, remove from the fridge and serve up these cute little-bitty cheesecakes in a jar to the “Oohs!” and “Ahhhs!” of all your lucky guests!
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