A delicious dessert perfect for Sunday dinner, or any day of the week in fact! For some reason malteasers make me think of Easter, not sure why? I actually made this as dessert for Mother’s Day dinner; it’s special enough to be treat but really quite simple and hassle-free. It’s sweet and creamy in the centre, with a lovely tang and crunch added by the biscuit and chocolate. And everyone likes Malteasers!
Ingredients
125g malt biscuits (it’s not essential that they’re malt but I like the added flavor these give)
50g butter
120g pack of malteasers
25g chocolate chips (optional)
250g cream cheese
250g natural yoghurt
150g icing sugar (you could use caster if needed, the cheesecake would have a slightly heavier texture)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
50g milk chocolate
Method
– crush the biscuits into fine crumbs, and mix in the melted butter
– tip the biscuit mixture into the bottom of a 6-8 inch springform / loose-bottomed tin
– take a handful of the malteasers (30g or so is fine), and lightly crush them so they break into chunks. Sprinkle these over the top of the biscuit mixture, and press everything down firmly to a thick, even layer across the top of the tin
– if using, press the chocolate chips into the top of the biscuit mixture
– put the base to chill in the fridge while you make the vanilla layer
– in a large bowl, put the cream cheese, yoghurt, vanilla and icing sugar
– beat until smooth and creamy
– add the eggs and beat again until mixed through
– pour over the top of the biscuit base
– bake in the oven at 180 degrees until the middle is fully set (it doesn’t move like liquid when you jiggle the tin – a bit of wobble is fine!) This should take 30-45 minutes depending on your oven; the edges may start to colour a little, if they start to catch too much, pop a piece of foil over the tin for the remainder of the cooking time
– remove from the oven and run a thin knife or spatula carefully around the outside, to separate the cheesecake from the tin. It will shrink a little as it cools, so this will ensure it can do so freely without sticking
– allow to cool before making the topping
To Finish (the ganache is optional but oh-so-easy and amazingly good)
50g dark chocolate
15g butter
30ml milk (semi skimmed works absolutely fine)
Remainder of the pack of malteasers (minus a few for taste testing, of course!)
– put the chocolate, milk and butter in a saucepan and heat on low for a minute or two until the chocolate starts to melt slightly
– turn off the heat and stir until the rest of the chocolate melts – there should be enough heat to finish it off
– allow to cool until tepid (test with your finger, it shouldn’t take too long), before smothering over the top of the cheesecake
– spread over the remainder of the malteasers however you like – some crushed, some whole, use your creativity!
– keep refrigerated until ready to serve
It’s a really easy but impressive dessert – and great for chocaholics!