Ingredients

Cookie crust

• 250 g graham cookies or Digestives cookies
• 2 tablespoon dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder
• 75 g butter

Cheesecake filling

• 250 ml strong black coffee
• 1 tablespoon Amaretto optional
• 600 g cream cheese
• 165 g mascarpone cheese
• 150 g powdered sugar
• 1½ teaspoon vanilla paste
• 360 g heavy cream (380 ml)
• ½ a pack of lady fingers

Topping

• 230 g heavy cream (250 ml)
• 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla paste
• dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

Cookie crust

1. Start by brewing the coffee for the ladyfingers.
2. Pour it into a shallow bowl and optionally mix in Amaretto.
3. While preparing the cheesecake let it cool down on the kitchen counter.
4. In a food processor, blend the graham cracker or digestive cookies and cocoa powder until a fine sand-like texture.
5. Melt the butter.
6. Add the melted butter to the food processor and blend it together with the blended cookies.
7. In a 23 cm/9-inch springform add parchment paper.
8. Add the cookie crumbs and press the cookie crust down with the bottom of a glass, so it’s well packed together and flattened out.
9. Place it in the refrigerator while preparing the cheesecake filling.

Cheesecake filling

1. With a hand mixer or in a stand mix using the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese for 1 minute on low speed.
2. Add the mascarpone, powdered sugar and vanilla paste and mix on medium/high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and at low speed let it mix until everything is combined, about 30 seconds.
4. Scrape down the bowl again and add the heavy cream and whisk it until it can hold a stiff peak.
5. Add half of the cheesecake filling into the springfom and with an off-set spatula even out the cheesecake filling.
6. Dip the lady fingers into the coffee once on each side.
7. If they are coated more than once, the lady fingers will hold too much coffee and there is a chance that coffee can leak out from the cheesecake when it’s resting in the fridge.
8. Lay the lady fingers in straight lines.
9. You’ll have to cut the lady fingers to fit the cheesecake (see the photo above in the blog post).
10. Then add the other half of the cheesecake filling and with an off-set spatula even it out.
11. Cover the springform with cling film and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours.

Decoration

1. Move the cheesecake to a serving dish.
2. Whip together heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla paste until stiff peaks.
3. Add it on top of the cheesecake and place it back in the refrigerator.
4. Once ready to serve, dust it with cocoa powder.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh rhubarb stalks, trimmed and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
• 1½ cups filtered water
• 2 high-quality Earl Grey tea bags
• 3½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare for canning: If processing for shelf stability, wash 4 half-pint jars and lids in hot, soapy water. Rinse well. Keep jars hot in simmering water or a 225°F oven until ready to fill. Place flat lids in a small bowl and cover with hot water to soften the sealing compound.
2. Extract the rhubarb juice: In a large, heavy-bottomed stainless steel or enameled cast iron pot, combine chopped rhubarb and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb completely breaks down and becomes soft and pulpy, about 15-20 minutes. The rhubarb should easily crush against the side of the pot.
3. Infuse with Earl Grey: Remove pot from heat. Add tea bags, cover, and let steep for exactly 6 minutes. This timing extracts the bergamot flavor without becoming bitter. Gently remove tea bags without squeezing them, as this would release bitter tannins.
4. Strain the mixture: Place a dampened jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth in a large strainer set over a deep bowl. Carefully pour the rhubarb mixture into the jelly bag. Cover with a clean kitchen towel to protect from dust, and allow to drip for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight in the refrigerator. Do not squeeze the bag – this ensures crystal-clear jelly. You should get approximately 3 cups of strained juice.
5. Measure the juice: Pour the strained juice into a liquid measuring cup to confirm the yield. You’ll need exactly 3 cups for the recipe. If slightly short, add water; if extra, reserve for another use.
6. Prepare for cooking: Before cooking the jelly, place 2-3 small plates in the freezer for testing the gel set later. If processing for shelf stability, fill your water bath canner with water and begin heating to a boil.
7. Cook the jelly: Pour the measured juice into a clean, wide, heavy-bottomed pot. Add sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Stir over low heat until sugar completely dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Boil vigorously, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the mixture reaches 220°F (104°C) on a candy thermometer. This typically takes 10-15 minutes.
8. Test the set: To confirm setting point, place a teaspoon of hot jelly on a chilled plate and return to freezer for 1 minute. Push edge of jelly with your finger – if it wrinkles and doesn’t immediately flow back, it’s ready. If not, continue cooking for 2-minute intervals, testing after each.
9. Skim and fill jars: Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with a metal spoon. Ladle hot jelly into prepared hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims with dampened clean paper towel to remove any residue. Center lids on jars and apply bands, tightening just until fingertip-tight.
10. Process (optional but recommended): Place filled jars in water bath canner with simmering water. Ensure jars are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a full rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary). Turn off heat, remove canner lid, and let jars sit for 5 minutes before removing to a towel-lined surface.
11. Cool and store: Allow jars to cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check seals – buttons should be depressed and not flex when pressed. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate any unsealed jars and use within 3 weeks.
12. Enjoy the set jelly: For the fullest flavor development, wait at least 24 hours before opening your first jar. The jelly is beautiful on buttered toast, scones, or paired with sharp cheeses.

• Classes for Making Sewing Patterns
• Seaglass Quilting