Best Cream Cheese Crust Recipes

PEANUT BUTTER MOON PIE: CHOCOLATE CAKE, GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST, PEANUT BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FILLING, MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 36 muffin liners. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix with your hands until well combined. Press 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the cupcake liners and bake for 7 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• For the chocolate cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla and coffee and mix for about a minute until well combined. Fill the 36 muffin pans with the pre-baked graham cracker crust three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• For the peanut butter cream cheese filling: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the peanut butter and mix until fully incorporated.
• For the marshmallow frosting: In small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, 5 ounces water and the cream of tarter and boil until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and vanilla until firm peaks form. With mixer on high, slowly stream the hot sugar mixture into the egg whites and mix for about 3 minutes.
• To assemble: Use a knife to cut a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with peanut butter cream cheese filling with a spoon and frost with marshmallow frosting.

NO DOUGH PIZZA LOW CARB CREAM CHEESE PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. With a handheld mixer, mix cream cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and parmesan cheese until combined. Spread into baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes.
• Spread pizza sauce on crust. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder. Bake 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted.

CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Combine water and vinegar in a small bowl. Combine flour and salt in another bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut butter and cream cheese into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining.
• Add water mixture to dough in a slow, steady stream, stirring, until mixture just begins to hold together. (Alternatively, pulse ingredients in a food processor.) Turn out onto a piece of plastic wrap, and wrap. Press dough into a disk using a rolling pin. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or overnight. (Dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before using.)
• Roll dough into a 12-inch round on a lightly floured surface. Fit dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim edge, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Turn overhang under so that edge is flush with rim. Flute edge. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Make filling (see our Pecan Pie recipe).

FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Food processor method:
• Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it until frozen solid, at least 30 minutes. Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour mixture in a food processor with the metal blade and process for a few seconds to combine. Set the bag aside.
• Cut the cream cheese into 3 or 4 pieces and add it to the flour. Process for about 20 seconds or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the frozen butter cubes and pulse until none of the butter is larger than the size of a pea. (Toss with a fork to see it better.) Remove the cover and add the water and vinegar. Pulse until most of the butter is reduced to the size of small peas. The mixture will be in particles and will not hold together. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a double-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Wrap the dough with the plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs) and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
• Hand method:
• Place a medium mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.
• Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cream cheese and rub the mixture between your fingers to blend the cream cheese into the flour until it resembles coarse meal. Spoon the mixture, together with the cold butter, into a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag. Expel any air from the bag and close it. Use a rolling pin to flatten the butter into thin flakes. Place the bag in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or until the butter is very firm.
• Transfer the mixture to the chilled bowl, scraping the sides of the bag. Set the bag aside. Sprinkle the mixture with the water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a rubber spatula. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a two-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Wrap the dough with plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs), and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
• Store:
• Refrigerated, up to 2 days; frozen, up to 3 months.
• Understanding
• A classic cream cheese crust contains no water and is more tender than an all-butter crust but not at all flaky. I have found it to be so tender it is impossible to use for a lattice top and the bottom crust often develops cracks through which a filling will leak and stick to the bottom of the pan. Very little water is needed, because the cream cheese contains 51 percent water. The addition of a small amount of water connects the two gluten-forming proteins in the flour, producing the rubbery, stretchy gluten that strenghtens the structure just enough to prevent cracking when the crust bakes. This pie crust does not shrink or distort as much as an all-butter crust because there is less development of gluten. The acidity of the vinegar weakens the gluten that forms, making the crust still more tender and less likely to shrink. If desired, it can be replaced with water.
• Cream cheese is 51 percent water and 37.7 percent fat, so 3 ounces contain 1.53 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) or water and 1.13 ounces of fat. That means that the pie crust with 6.5 ounces of flour contains the equivalent of about 4 1/2 tablespoons of water. Compared to the all-butter crust, this crust has about 1 tablespoon more water, 1.13 ounces more of fat, and .34 ounce more milk solids. The extra fat in the cream cheese coats some of the proteins in the flour, limiting the development of gluten, which would make it tougher. The milk solids add both flavor and smoothness of texture.
• The baking powder lifts and aerates the dough slightly without weakening it, but it also makes it seem more tender.
• In developing this recipe, I found that if not using the vinegar and baking powder to tenderize the crust, it is advisable to add one quarter of the butter together with the cream cheese when using all-purpose flour. This helps to moisture-proof it but, of course, takes away a little from the flakiness, as there is less butter available to add in larger pieces to create layers.

BORSCHT CUPCAKES, APPLE PIE FILLING, CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING AND CHEDDAR CHEESE PIE CRUST MOON

Steps:

• For the cheddar cheese pie crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt until well combined. Add the butter and cheese and pulse until small pea-size balls form. Gradually add the ice water, up to 3 tablespoons. Remove the dough from the food processor bowl, fold the dough, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Dust the work space with flour. Roll out the pie dough and cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place the shapes on a baking sheet, brush with water, dust with cinnamon-sugar and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, add the carrots, beets, oil and granulated sugar and whisk on medium for 1 minute until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix for about a minute until well combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until combined. Then remove from the mixer and scrape by hand. Fill the prepared muffin pans three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 24 minutes.
• For the frosting: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the cinnamon and mix until fully incorporated.
• For the apple filling: In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the apples, sugar and 1/8 cup water. Bring to a boil and stir until the water has evaporated and the apples are soft. Add the cinnamon and refrigerate until cool.
• To assemble: Use a knife to make a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with apple pie filling, and then frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Top with a Cheddar cheese shape.

THE PERFECT CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl until evenly blended. Mix in the flour until a dough forms; divide into 6 balls. Use immediately or wrap tightly and freeze until needed.

EASY PEACH COBBLER WITH CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Drain canned peaches; reserve 3/4 cup of syrup.
• Place peaches in a large non-reactive bowl; add reserved syrup, tapioca, and lemon juice. Mash 1/3 of the peaches with a potato masher and set aside. You may also use fresh peaches (increase sugar to 1 cup),or combine with another fruit: blueberries, pineapple, or pears to make one gallon total.
• Combine sugar and cinnamon. Add half of spice mixture to peaches and stir.
• Stir peaches gently every 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cream together cream cheese, butter,and sugar.
• Add flour slowly mixing until the dough comes together and is well blended.
• Pat out dough into a ball and flatten to 1 inch thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Roll out dough into a rectangle approximately 1 inch larger than the baking pan on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper.
• Pour peach mixture into baking pan.
• Place dough on top of peaches. Method 1. Gently roll dough onto rolling pin; transfer to the pan and roll dough over the top. Method 2. Pick up waxed paper with dough on it and gently put the dough side down over the pan; then peel off the waxed paper.
• Fold edges of pastry under so pastry edges are flush against the pan.
• Cut slashes in top of the pastry to let steam out.
• Beat 1 large egg white until foamy; then brush lightly on pastry.
• Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar blend on top of pastry.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until golden brown.
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese and butter and mix together incorporating flour a little at a time.
• Roll out with a rolling pin between 2 wax papers. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and prick with fork before half-baking to prevent shrinkage. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• FOOD PROCESSOR METHOD.
• Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it until frozen solid, at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour, salt and baking powder in resealable gallon-size freezer bag and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour mixture in food processor with the metal blade and process for a few seconds to combine. Set the bag aside for later use here.
• Cut the cream cheese into 3 or 4 pieces and add it to the flour. Process for about 20 seconds or until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add the frozen butter cubes and pulse until none of the butter is larger than the size of a pea. (Toss with a fork to see it better.)
• Remove the processor cover and sprinkle in the water and vinegar. Pulse until most of the butter is reduced to size of small peas. The mixture will be in particles and will not hold together.
• Spoon half the dough into the plastic bag. (For a double-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point)
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Remove the dough from the bag and wrap it with plastic wrap, and flatten it into a disc. Repeat with remaining pie dough.
• Refrigerate the discs for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight.
• Store refrigerated, up to 2 days; frozen, up to 3 months.

GARDEN VEGETABLE QUICHE WITH A CREAM CHEESE CRUST RECIPE - GENIUS KITCHEN

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/2 cup butter, and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl, stirring until blended. Shape into a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. (You can do this while you chop veggies and saute them).
• Saute mushrooms and next 5 ingredients in 2 tbsp melted butter in a large skillet until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Press the chilled pastry evenly on bottom and up sides of a 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle muenster cheese over the pastry. Spoon reserved sauteed vegetables evenly over the cheese.
• Combine the eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Beat with a wire whisk until blended. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.
• Saute 3 tbsp chopped onion in 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet until tender. Drain, and sprinkle the onions over the quiche. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

NO-CRUST CREAM CHEESE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Grease (or spray w/ nonstick cooking spray) a 10-inch pie dish.
• In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until creamy. Pour into greased pie dish. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes (Don't turn off oven). In a small bowl, mix together sour cream and 3 Tbsp sugar---pour on top of pie.
• Return to 350 degree oven for additional 10 minutes. Cool 1 hour then chill. May top with fresh fruit or pie filling.

FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Place a medium bowl into freezer to chill.
• Wrap cubed butter in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour in a medium bowl; add salt and whisk to combine. Rub in cream cheese using clean fingers until mixture develops coarse crumbs. Place cream cheese mixture and chilled butter into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Flatten the cream cheese-butter mixture into thin flakes through the bag, using a rolling pin. Freeze until mixture is firm, about 10 minutes. Pour mixture into the chilled bowl. Sprinkle with water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a spatula. Knead until dough holds together and is slightly elastic.
• Place dough back into the plastic bag and flatten into a disk. Refrigerate, 45 minutes to overnight, before using.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• Combine strawberries, tapioca and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in 2 quart saucepan.
• Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
• Add melted butter to the cracker/sugar mixture until evenly coated.
• Press into pie tins.
• Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Let cool.
• Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended.
• Whip cream until stiff.
• Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.
• Pour cream cheese filling into cooled pie crusts, spreading evenly on bottoms and sides, creating a shallow depression.
• Store in refrigerator until strawberry topping is cooled.
• Carefully spoon strawberry topping into the depression previously made in the filling.
• Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

PECAN PIE WITH CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Set aside 16 pecan halves for garnish; coarsely chop remaining pecans. Stir together eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in chopped pecans, and pour mixture into prepared piecrust, spreading evenly. Garnish edges with remaining pecan halves.
• Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake, rotating halfway through, until filling is just set and crust is golden brown, about 90 minutes. (Tent with foil if nuts are getting too dark.) Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.

RUSTIC APPLE TART WITH RICH CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• TO MAKE THE FILLING: Peel the apples and cut them in half.
• Remove the cores with a paring knife.
• Cutting from blossom end to stem end, slice each half into 1/4 inch thick slices.
• Combine the apple slices with the lemon juice, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to combine.
• Let the apples stand until the sugar is dissolved, about 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Place a shaped large dough round on a baking sheet.
• Arrange the apples slices in 2 concentric circles on the large dough round or in one circle on the small rounds, overlapping the apple slices slightly.
• Brush the rim of the crust with the egg yolk.
• Sprinkle the apples with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with Vanilla Whipped Cream or ice cream on the side.
• Rustic Apple Tart is best served on the day it is made.
• TO MAKE THE CHEESE TART DOUGH: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the cream cheese, butter, 1 cup flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor.
• Process until the dough just comes together.
• It will be sticky.
• Sprinkle the parchment paper with flour.
• Turn the dough out onto the sheet and, with floured hands, press the dough into a rough 10-inch circle or four 5-inch circles.
• Roll about 1/2 inch of the edge of the circle inward to create a lip to catch the juices.
• Refrigerate the crust for 1 hour or wrap the baking sheet in plastic and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours until you are ready to use it.
• Shaped Rich Cream Cheese Tart Dough, wrapped in plastic, may be frozen for up to 2 months and used directly from the freezer.
• TO MAKE VANILLA WIHPPED CREAM: Combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
• With an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip on high speed until the cream just holds stiff peaks.
• Do not over whip.
• Use immediately, or refrigerate it, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 6 hours.
• Whisk it again for a couple of seconds before using.
• NOTE: If you are having eight or fewer people for Thanksgiving, double this recipe and make eight individual tarts.
• The dough can be made and shaped weeks ahead of time, and the rest of the prep is minimal, leaving lots of time to prepare the rest of the meal.

PUMPKIN-CREAM CHEESE PIE WITH COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients until crumbly. Press firmly on bottom and side of ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake about 12 minutes or until light golden brown.
• In large bowl, beat sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and both packages of cream cheese with electric mixer on low speed until smooth; reserve 1/2 cup. Add all remaining filling ingredients except milk to cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl constantly, until smooth. Pour into crust.
• In small bowl, mix reserved 1/2 cup cream cheese mixture and the milk. Spoon over pumpkin mixture. Cut through cream cheese and pumpkin mixtures with knife in S-shaped curves in one continuous motion. Turn pie plate one-fourth turn and repeat. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean, removing foil for last 15 minutes of baking. Cool 30 minutes. Cover loosely and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator.

GARDEN VEGETABLE QUICHE WITH A CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/2 cup butter, and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl, stirring until blended. Shape into a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. (You can do this while you chop veggies and saute them).
• Saute mushrooms and next 5 ingredients in 2 tbsp melted butter in a large skillet until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Press the chilled pastry evenly on bottom and up sides of a 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle muenster cheese over the pastry. Spoon reserved sauteed vegetables evenly over the cheese.
• Combine the eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Beat with a wire whisk until blended. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.
• Saute 3 tbsp chopped onion in 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet until tender. Drain, and sprinkle the onions over the quiche. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE PIE WITH PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIE CRUST RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients until crumbly. press firmly on bottom and side of ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Bake about 12 minutes or until light golden brown. 2. In large bowl, beat sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and both packages of cream cheese with electric mixer on low speed until smooth; reserve 1/2 cup. Add all remaining filling ingredients except milk to cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl constantly, until smooth. Pour into crust. 3. In small bowl, mix reserved 1/2 cup cream cheese mixture and the milk. Spoon over pumpkin mixture. Cut through cream cheese and pumpkin mixtures with knife in S-shaped curves in one continuous motion. Turn pie plate one-fourth turn and repeat. Cover edge of crust with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning. 4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean, removing foil for last 15 minutes of baking. Cool 30 minutes. Cover loosely and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator.

CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until it is the size of peas. Add the cream cheese and pulse until it is the size of peas. Add the vinegar and 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse a few times, until the dough holds together when squeezed. Gather into a ball on a sheet of plastic wrap. Pat into a disk, wrap and chill at least 4 hours.

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE DESSERT WITH PRETZEL CRUST

Steps:

• Using a zip-loc bag and a rolling pin, crush pretzels. Add to a mixing bowl.
• Add sugar and melted butter, Mix. Set aside 1/2 C mixture for topping.
• Press the remaining pretzel mixture into a 13' x 9" dish.
• Using a stand mixer, beat whipped topping and cream cheese about 3 minutes.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
• Spread one half of cream cheese mixture over pretzels in the dish.
• Top with the can of blueberry pie filling. Use the back of a spoon to gently spread it out.
• Top bluebarry mixture with the rest of the cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 C pretzel mixture.
• Refrigerate overnight.