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Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust


Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? I’m not even Irish, but the holiday holds a special place in my heart. Six years ago, I studied abroad in Ireland and left part of my heart there. Every time I see something Irish, I get a little homesick. Today, the lovely Jen from Jen’s Favorite Cookies invited a group of bloggers to share our favorite Irish-inspired recipes. I didn’t want to be too traditional, so I made a savory Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust.


Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com
Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com

I’m one of the lucky Americans who got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Funny thing is it’s such a touristy weekend. Most locals roll their eyes and usually stay away from the festivities. That’s not to say they don’t celebrate; most of them can be found at the bars from Friday to Sunday and have Monday off from work (the 17th was on a Saturday when I went). If you’re traveling, you pretty much have to make hotel reservations a year in advance. Fortunately, I stayed with a friend in Dublin who was my tour guide for the weekend. We managed to fight and got front row at the parade so I could have a clear view for pictures. That’s one thing I regret – I didn’t take as many pictures as I would if I went back now. Funny how I would take pictures of the major events but not of the little details.


St. Patrick's Day Parade
St. Patrick's Day Parade

Irish cheese is a unique cheese. It’s not cheddar or mozzarella or Colby jack. It’s Irish cheese. The first brand that comes to mind is Kerrygold. I used a bit of Kerrygold butter when I was in Ireland. My housemates and I called it “the special butter” because we didn’t get it all too often (college budget is tough, especially in another country). Now I can buy Irish cheese and butter in the states and know my food will be extraordinary. The brand really does make a difference sometimes.


Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com
Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com

Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com

Now I know the sound of a savory Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake is a little crazy. Even I was wondering what it would taste like. I saw a recipe for a plain cheddar cheesecake in a magazine, so I thought why not use Irish cheese and throw in some bacon? And boy, was it good. It’s just like eating one of those cheddar cheeseballs you often see at parties. Creamy, cheesy, bacon-y. The walnut crust helps push the “dessert” towards the savory side. Wait, does that make it an appetizer now? And you’re supposed to eat appetizers before dinner so…


Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com
Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust | www.chocolatemoosey.com

Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust

Ingredients

Walnut Crust

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups Irish cheese, shredded
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry ground mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup bacon, cooked, crispy, and chopped into pieces

Instructions

  2. Preheat oven to 375F.

For the walnut crust

  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, walnuts, and melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch springform pan. Place on a cookie sheet and set aside.

For the filling

  2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the Irish cheese, flour, dry mustard, and pepper until combined. Gradually beat in the milk then beat in the eggs. Beat in the bacon until combined. Pour into the walnut crust. Bake 40-45 minutes or until it is brown on top and is almost set (it will feel firm when touched and still wiggle a little bit when moved). Let cool until room temperature. Remove the side of the pan then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
© Carla Cardello (www.chocolatemoosey.com)

Source: Adapted from Better Homes and Garden Holiday Appetizers 2004 magazine
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St. Patrick's Day Recipes

Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day recipes? I am joining other awesome bloggers with a St. Patrick’s Day round-up, so check out what they made:

1. Key Lime Pound Cake by Joan at Chocolate Chocolate & More
2. Mini Banoffee Pie Tarts by Kelly at Kelly Bakes
3. Chocolate Bailey’s Mousse Tart from Nancy at Gotta Get Baked
4. Irish Carbomb Cupcakes from Susan at Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
5. Pistachio Caramel Cookies from Jen at Jen’s Favorite Cookies
6. Guinness Stout Mini Bundt Cake from Shanna at Pineapple and Coconut
7. Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by Carla at Chocolate Moosey
8. Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese Trifle from Anita at Hungry Couple NYC
9. Key Lime Pie Ice Cream from Renee at Magnolia Days
10. Pistachio Mousse Cups from Kim at Cravings of a Lunatic
11. Irish Eggs Benedict from Isabelle Crumb Blog
12. St. Patrick’s Day Cookie Stack from Angie at Big Bears Wife
13. Guinness Chocolate Cake from Jen at Juanita’s Cocina
14. Irish Potato Oatmeal Bread from Sarah at What Smells So Good

Disclosure: I am part of the Kerrygold Food Blogger Network and was provided with coupons for Kerrygold cheese. All opinions and photographs are my own unless otherwise stated.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The sound of a bacon and Irish cheese cheesecake does not sound crazy to me. I recently tasted a savory cheesecake for the first time and fell in love. Now I can't get enough of them. Yours has bacon so that puts it to the top of the to-make list.
    Reply

    • I don't get it either! Even at work they were skeptical, but I think they enjoyed it after a few bites. Let's hope it becomes the next big trend.
      Reply

  11. Holy crap, I just had an aneurysm from this amazingness. But first off, that pic of you and your friend at the St. Patty's parade is adorbs. I'd love to visit Ireland one day -- I haven't gotten to do much traveling in my life yet but someday! And this is just genius. I've never even contemplated making a savoury cheesecake but why the heck not?! Especially with bacon. Since this is savoury and covers several food groups, it definitely counts as a proper meal.
    Reply

  13. Carla, Carla, Carla. You are a GENIUS! F'real. Savory cheesecake? WHY HAS NO ONE DONE THIS?! And bacon? oh Heavens me, yes. I need a slice of this in my life!! (or 7) p.s. if you come to visit in April, we need to bake. It's settled!
    Reply

    • Not quite a quiche (I'm not a fan of quiche, trust me haha). It's more like a cheeseball with the creaminess than the egginess of quiche. Thanks Susan!
      Reply

  15. Ermahgerd. I love savoury cheesecakes, and I think they don't get nearly enough love compared to their desserty counterparts. The blend of flavours in this one sounds particularly wonderful, too, especially the walnut crust and the Irish cheese and crumbled bacon in the filling. PS - I'm so jealous you got to experience a real live St Patty's Day in Ireland. That sounds like so much fun!
    Reply

  16. Lady I totally love all the photos. I'm Irish but have never been to Ireland. It's on my bucket list. Love this recipe Carla, it's simply beautiful. I really like the walnut crust. So creative.
    Reply

  22. This recipe sounds lovely. I tried a bacon cheesecake for Thanksgiving last year and it was a total bust. Of course that only made me want to try again to find a successful recipe. When you say "Irish cheese" which type of Kerrygold cheese are you using?
    Reply

  23. HELLO,, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU,,,FIRST THE CHEESECAKE LOOKS DELICIOUS,,, WHAT IS IRISH CHEESE ?? I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT WE DON'T GET THE FANCY CHEESE,,,,WHAT WOULD I USE THAT WOULD BE CLOSE TO IRISH CHEESE,,,,AND NEXT,,,HOW DO YOU THINK A GOOD MONTEREY CHEESE WOULD WORK IN THIS RECIPE ?? I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BAKING THIS,,,,,, charles
    Reply

    • Hi Charles! Irish cheese is cheese produced in Ireland, much like Gruyere is from Switzerland and Parmesan is from Italy. You can usually find it in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store, not the regular cheese section by the milk (I lived in a small town for a few years and found it there, so it depends on how small your area is). I used Kerrygold Dubliner to give you an idea on flavor http://kerrygoldusa.com/products/dubliner-cheese/ As far as substituting, I think most cheeses that shred and melt well will work. Cheddar comes to mine, but Monterrey cheese should work too!
      Reply

Trackbacks

  3. [...] Favorite Cookies 6. Guinness Stout Mini Bundt Cake from Shanna at Pineapple and Coconut 7. Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by Carla at Chocolate Moosey 8. Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese Trifle from Anita at Hungry [...]
    Reply
  7. [...] Favorite Cookies 6. Guinness Stout Mini Bundt Cake from Shanna at Pineapple and Coconut 7. Irish Cheese and Bacon Cheesecake with Walnut Crust by Carla at Chocolate Moosey 8. Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese Trifle from Anita at Hungry [...]
    Reply

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