With such an elegant presentation, you would never guess how easy this cheesecake is to prepare — you don’t even need to heat your oven. The crust is buttery with a warm spice from the cinnamon graham crackers and touch of allspice, while the filling is creamy, but light, with only a hint of sweetness. Top with a pile of caramelized figs, and you’ve got yourself a show-stopping dessert.
For you next cool dessert, make these Strawberry and Lime Popsicles.
PrintNo-Bake Mascarpone Cheesecake with Figs
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This no-bake mascarpone cheesecake features a buttery spiced crust, a light and creamy filling, and a topping of caramelized figs, making it a perfect summer dessert without using your oven.
Ingredients
for the crust:
- 13 whole cinnamon graham crackers [about 6-7 ounces total]
- 8 tablespoons [1 stick] unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- pinch of salt
for the filling:
- 1 cup [8 ounces] mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup [8 ounces] full fat greek yogurt [very important to use full fat here], at room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
- 3 tablespoons honey
for the figs:
- 4-5 fresh figs, cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, add graham crackers, melted butter, dark brown sugar, allspice, and a pinch of salt. Blend to combine — the mixture should be the consistency of wet sand. Transfer the crumb mixture to a 7″ springform pan and press into bottom and up sides to form a crust. The walls of the crust should come up the sides high enough to hold the filling [about 1 inch]. Chill in freezer for at least 20 minutes.
- While crust is chilling, prepare the filling: in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone cheese, yogurt, and heavy cream on medium speed until cream thickens and the entire mixture is well combined, about 6-7 minutes. Add honey and beat to combine.
- Remove the tart pan with the crust from the freezer and fill with the cream mixture, making sure that it does not come above the height of the crust [depending on how high the walls of your crust are, you may have some filling left over]. Smooth top with a rubber spatula and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator until set, at least 2 hours. [The longer it chills, the firmer it will become and the better it will hold up].
- While the cheesecake chills, prepare the figs: in a small sauté pan over medium heat, add the quartered figs, brown sugar, honey, and orange juice. Sauté, shaking pan occasionally, until the figs start to soften and caramelize and the liquid forms a thick glaze, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Once cheesecake is chilled and firm, release spring on pan, and carefully remove. Spoon caramelized figs over top, cut into wedges, and serve immediately. Store cheesecake covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
For best results, use ripe figs for caramelizing. The cheesecake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Substitute cinnamon graham crackers with regular ones if needed, but add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor. Ensure the mascarpone is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 32
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 95
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cracker for the crust?
Yes, you can substitute the cinnamon graham crackers with other flavored crackers or even digestive biscuits, but keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly.
How do I caramelize the figs for the topping?
To caramelize the figs, slice them in half, then cook them in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of sugar and butter until they are soft and golden.
Is it necessary to use allspice in the crust?
While allspice adds a warm flavor to the crust, you can omit it or substitute with a pinch of nutmeg or cloves if you prefer.
