In case you're wondering when the best time to make friends with someone is, it's right when they're pitching a gluten-free baking cookbook to publishers. I know because that's when I met Alanna. It's also when I willingly accepted my new role as dessert taste tester, with a constant rotation of Alanna's latest cookbook creations showing up at my house. It's a tough job being friends with Alanna.
At the end of *cough*waytoolong*cough*, Alternative Baker is FINALLY ALMOST HERE!! I'm so stinkin' excited to share Alanna's masterpiece with you via this ginger goat cheese cheesecake tart inspired by her flavor pairings and built on a crust adapted from the book.
Before we talk about this ginger goat cheese cheesecake, pull up a chair to watch the trailer Alanna and I made for her cookbook.
With a gorgeous photo for every recipe, you'll probably be tempted to lick the page. (It doesn't work like Willy Wonka's wallpaper, I tried). She lent me her only copy this week and I'm sorry to report that I "lost" it, Alanna. I'm definitely not lying. But even if I were, I licked it, so it's mine.
While Alanna worked tirelessly on her cookbook baby, I worked on gaining sympathy weight from taste testing allofthedesserts (like I said, tough job). About halfway in, I figured what better way to hide it than actually getting pregnant. So I did that and then got to taste-test for two. See also: best time to be pregnant.
After tasting about 75% of the recipes in the book and then flipping through (and drooling on) the pages of the first print copy, ecstatically announcing "I've eaten that!" about 100 times, trust me when I say you should go pre-order your copy as soon as you can. Like now.
Are you a newbie to baking? Alanna will hold your hand. Order a copy.
Are you into baking? Alanna will challenge you with completely new flavor mash-ups. Order a copy.
Do you or do you know someone who bakes gluten-free desserts? Order a copy.
Are you none of the above, but you're still into gorgeous coffee table eye candy? Order a copy.
Alternative Baker is not just a book for gluten-free diets, either. Alanna imparts rich flavors into dessert by way of their unique flours. The desserts just taste more exciting than their gluten-filled counterparts because of the roasted notes in chestnut flour, the sweet flavors of corn flour, and the delicate nuttiness of almond flour. Her recipes are a refreshing reprieve from the oft bland hockey pucks that have given gluten-free baking a bad rep.
My no-bake ginger goat cheese cheesecake is built on a vanilla hazelnut tart crust (barely) adapted from Alternative Baker's Vanilla Almond Tart Crust. While it's certainly a hard choice, this tart crust is my favorite thing in the book; I could eat it as a cookie without any filling. It's thick and sturdy enough to hold cheesecake, but delicately crumbles at the prong of a fork and bursts of nuttiness, vanilla, and butter.
This honey-roasted fig topping to the tart draws inspiration from Alanna's extensive pairing of seasonal fruits with gluten-free grains and flours.
Real talk: you know how long it took me to come up with a fruit pairing she hadn't already used for my adaptation? A SUPER DUPER LONG TIME. She's filled the book to the brim with the most luscious fruits paired with flour flavors that enhance their subtle notes.
For my goat cheese cheesecake tart, I swapped in hazelnut meal for almond flour - hardly an adaptation - but the more assertive hazelnut stands up against a background of tangy goat cheese and earthy jammy figs.
A drizzle of honey sweetens up the goat cheese filling, turning the traditionally savory goat cheese and fig pairing into a velvety dessert. Folding in vanilla whipped cream adds a light almost mousse-like texture and freshly grated ginger gives it a subtle bite that pairs with the caramelization in the fruit and nut topping for a dessert that, like black mission figs, dangerously walks the line between summer and fall.
Did I mention that you should pre-order Alanna's cookbook, Alternative Baker? Do it.
Recipe
Ginger Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Honey Roasted Figs & Hazelnuts + Alternative Baker Cookbook
Ingredients
- ½ cup (60 g) hazelnut meal
- ½ cup (80 g) sweet rice flour, also called mochiko, different from "white rice flour" or "brown rice flour"
- ½ cup (55 g) gluten-free oat flour
- 2 tablespoons (12 g) Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 10 ripe black mission figs, halved
- ⅓ cup chopped hazelnuts
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ⅓ cup heavy cream, whipped
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
- 8 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese (blocked), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
INSTRUCTIONS
Gluten-free Vanilla Hazelnut Tart Crust
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the hazelnut meal, sweet rice flour, oat flour, tapioca stach, cane sugar, and sea salt.
- Sprinkle the butter cubes on top and drizzle with vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on medium-low, beat until the dough begins to clump and the butter has been completely combined, about 3-5 minutes.
- Dump the dough clumps into the bottom of an 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and begin pressing the dough evenly into the pan, starting with the sides and then moving to the bottom. Your crust should be between ⅛ and ¼-inch thick with the top edges squared off (this takes about 10-15 minutes of patience).
- Prick the bottom all over with a fork and place in the freezer until firm, 15-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Remove the tart shell from the freezer and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy clean up. Bake on the middle rack for 23-27 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and while the crust is still hot, use the back of a spoon to gently press down on the sides and bottom to help hold it together as it cools.
- Once cool, life the tart crust from the pan and transfer to a cake plate or stand.
Honey Roasted Figs & Hazelnuts (Adapted from The Bojon Gourmet)
- While the crust cools, preheat the broiler.
- Lay the figs in a baking pan, cut side up, and spoon 2 tablespoons honey over the figs.
- In a separate bowl, toss the hazelnuts in the remaining tablespoon of honey.
- Broil the figs 6-inches from the heat for 3 minutes. Sprinkle the honeyed hazelnuts over the top and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the hazelnuts are toasted.
- Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely before topping cheesecake.
Ginger Cheesecake Filling
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip heavy cream until light and foamy. Add powdered sugar and whip until soft peaks form. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
- In the same bowl with the paddle, beat the goat cheese and cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla paste, honey, and ginger and beat until combined and smooth.
- Fold in the whipped creamed until just combined.
- Spread filling in cooled tart shell and smooth it out with an offset spatula.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Just before serving, top with cooled honey roasted figs and hazelnuts.
Trish -
What a terrific recipe and just not a run of the mill one too. And such a beautiful dessert! Goat cheese makes good ice cream so I’m not surprised that this is so delicious. Fresh figs are hard to come by where I live, so I found some at Trader Joe’s. It was good but I’m guessing nothing like ones from where they’re actually grown? What do you think of a roasted cherry topping? I found Alanna years ago from her articles in GFF magazine and love her work. What a treasure you have to be friends!
Tessa | Salted Plains -
The lick it and call it method is key!! Good work on that one. This is SO BEAUTIFUL, Sarah! That tart crust sounds crazy delicious too. Big hugs and high fives to both of you on that awesome and super cute trailer (just wish I could give real-life-in-person ones)! <3
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much!! You are always welcome to visit the bay for real life high fives (and dessert:)!
Coley | Coley Cooks -
This is absolutely stunning and that flavor combination is making me drool!! Totally up my alley, and now I must go raid my friend's fig tree and make this immediately!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha yessss - I hope you do it stealthily in the night;) And thank you!!!
Jayme | holly & flora -
"I licked it, so it's mine!!!" I wish that rule applied to many other things, right?! Laughing so hard right now. I hope that we can have a late-night bake sesh one day in the near future, while everyone else is sleeping, and we can laugh our asses off together. I am so excited for Alanna, and I can't wait to make delicious treats this fall and winter. That trailer captures Alanna's personality and handiwork so beautifully. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Sarah! XOXO!
Sarah Menanix -
UM YES PLEASE COME VISIT AND WE WILL STAY UP UNTIL 3AM BAKING (I basically said that without spaces but it was hard to read). Miss you!!! xoxo.
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen -
That's like my dream job - Claudia, cookbook taste tester. Alanna's book sounds absolutely wonderful - I've been way more into alternative fruit + flour pairings since poring over the Violet Bakery Cookbook last summer. Goat's cheese is my favourite too, but still haven't used it in a sweet situation - this cheesecake looks like the best place to start! Ginger + figs + hazelnuts = <3 <3 <3
Sarah Menanix -
Hahaha - well when you put it that way: I have the best job ever! :)
I haven't looked at that book, but now I need to get my hands on it! I hope you try the goat cheese sweet situation ASAP - highly recommend:)
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire -
I pre-ordered the book the second I found out she was coming out with one! I might pre-order the digital version so I can never be without it if it means I get to look at recipes like this -insanely gorgeous- cheesecake! Seriously, it looks so good, and your photos are incredible. Where did you get your cake stand? I need!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw yay!!! That makes me happy. She doesn't have this particular cheesecake in the book, but she has SO MANY OTHERS that I want to gobble right up. That cake stand is from AHeirloom (http://aheirloom.com/) - it's my new favorite!
Jennifer Farley -
Beautiful photos, decadent recipe. I cannot wait for this book!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank youuuuu! Your jaw will drop over the book!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado -
What a beautiful cheesecake! All the flavors are so unique and sound incredible together! Can't wait for the book!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you! Figs and goat cheese are like PB & J...BFFs!
traci | VanillaAndBean -
No words. Gorgeous work, Sarah and Alanna!! I'm so excited about this work of art.. the love, the time, the skill,... all of it!! ! Hooray!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw thank you so much Traci! Alanna is a magician.
Em -
I'm loving on the flavors in this tart so hard. Also, let's pretend any baby weight that I have sticking around is the result of taste-testing, too. It's too good. Plus, I did have the slice of pie that one time...
Sarah Menanix -
You loved on it so hard you went and got your own sexy figs and made an even sexier dessert. Bow chicka bow wow! (Alanna is still making sure I never lose this baby weight...)
Abra -
Gorgeous!! I loved the video too, you guys are adorable and I am just putting it out there if anyone in the NYC area is looking for a taste testing friend I am totally available ;-) I pre-ordered the book, cannot resist!
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - I feel like you should just put that on twitter - there's GOT to be someone with a boatload of desserts to unload, right?? And I'm so glad you got the book - I cannot even tell you how much you'll love it!
amanda paa -
so much pretty, so much yum, so much excitement for the cookbook! i know you had a huge hand in making everything including that bomb trailer. i can't wait to dig into the book, and really wish i could dig into this cheesecake.
xo
Sarah Menanix -
I heard you got your book today! I guess you'll be doing nothing but baking until next year? ;)
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles -
This is all kinds of beautiful - the cheesecake AND the cookbook!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you! The cookbook has me wanting to just bake for the rest of the fall!
Carla -
Wait, did you want me to order a copy?
KIDDING. I PRE-ORDERED ON THE VERY. FIRST. DAY.
I can't wait to make more of Alanna's brilliant recipes, she's ACTUAL GENIUS.
Sarah Menanix -
GOOD! YOU ARE SO GOOD AT DIRECTIONS.
Victoria -
Alright I have to know... what is that walnut crusher thing in the video?! I am literally counting down the days for this book to come out.
Sarah Menanix -
It's a nut chopper! My mom had one growing up and I remember using it to chop our nuts and then, by chance, I found this one at a yard sale down the street. I've been dying for an excuse to use it! Haha.
Todd Wagner | HonestlyYUM -
Words can't describe how excited I am for this book - so thanks for capturing it video form :) (incredible video!) I can't believe the day is almost here!!!!!!!
Just when you thought figs couldn't get any sexier, there's this....
Sarah Menanix -
The figs keep flirting with me at the grocery store. It's a little obscene.
(Also: we should have a party for this book;)
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness -
I am SO excited for this book -especially if it has this cheesecake! I LOVE goat cheese and cheesecake, but have never put the two together. And with, figs? Dead.
Sarah Menanix -
In her book she's got Nectarine Cheesecakes in Jars with Mesquite Gingersnap Crusts, Berry Chèvre Cheesecake Squares with Pistachio Shortbread Crust, AND Sweet Potato Bourbon Cheesecake Bites with Mesquite-Pecan Crust. Basically cheesecake heaven.
Aysegul -
Ahhhh you too.. I love this cake. And that video... So much fun! I ordered my copy and I CAN'T wait for that day to come.
<3
PS: I know the first recipe I'll try will be that peach cake! :)) How yummy did that look?!?!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw thank you so much! That peach cake looks AND tastes so yummy! I got to eat it alllllllll.
valentina | sweet kabocha -
I love Alanna and I love the goat-figs match. Can't wait to browse her book page after page :D
Sarah Menanix -
I love her too! <3 And also figs. And goat cheese. In that order ;) I'm certain you will drool all over the pages of her book for hours! (Hint: There are at least two fig recipes in her book that I can think of off the top of my head)
valentina | sweet kabocha -
Yummy! I also hope to be able to meet her again - we hang out when I arrived in SF bay area months ago and my spoken English was even more terrible than now Lol :P You live near Sf too, don't you?
Joyce @ Sun Diego Eats -
Loving everything about this - the hazelnut crust, the ginger and the broiled figs (!!!). It's like someone snooped in my brain for what would make the perfect cheesecake O_O
Sarah Menanix -
Ha! That's exactly what I did;)
Nancy Stern -
What a great video with such a catchy song! It was especially fun for me to see Alana in action making the incredible delicacies that I have had the honor of tasting.
Sarah, you are so talented not only"in the kitchen" but your keen photographic eye delivers tantalizing invitations to make the recipes. I feel like I have been on a taste journey each time I try something new because it is obvious that great thought is put into these recipes and so far all I can say is that this book should be a best seller!.
Sarah Menanix -
Thanks Nancy! I love sharing treats with you! Especially because I would be a billion pounds if I ate them all myself;)
Veronica -
Love the trailer to Alanna's cookbook "Alternative Baker"! Her book will make a wonderful gift for my best friend! Sarah your photos are stunning! I can't wait to try this beautiful recipe!
Sarah Menanix -
Yes! You should pre-order it for Debbie! <3
gerry @ foodness gracious -
Wow, it looks and sounds so tasty!! I can't wait to get my paws on a copy!
Sarah Menanix -
Prepare to drool all over it;)
amisha -
Gosh, this is a beautiful representation of Alanna's gorgeous book! I loved your blog post Sarah, and I cant wait to make recipes from this book! All my favorite desserts in one book with all the different flours that I love to use :D Very very exciting!
Btw, your photos are stunning! and I do love that you used goat cheese in cheesecake! Am sure that must have been a very very delicious tart!
and I simply love the video!! well done both of you! you girls are a great team! :)
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much Amisha! I too love all the different flours she uses and I'm certain you'll love the ways she's paired them with fruits!
And thank you!!! I wish I had any left to share (well, I do, but I'm reserving that one for Alanna tonight;).
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain -
Wow, just wow!! So much beauty and talent in one post. Can't wait for the book!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw thank you so much! You will love the book!
Alanna -
Oooh, I'm definitely licking all of this tart so it will be alllllll mine! This tart is so absurdly pretty and the flavors - vanilla, honey, goat and cream cheese, ginger, figs, hazelnuts - must be out of this world all paired together. That pile of jammy figs makes me weak in the knees. I can't thank you enough for the kind words, and hours and hours of help making the book and trailer amazing/exist, respectively. Not to mention the great sacrifice of extensive taste testing and covering it all up with a bonafide pregnancy. What a pal! xoxoxo
Sarah Menanix -
I'm sure Jay can attest, it was ROUGH tasting all those delicious desserts day in and day out;) KIDDING - It was the best ever. So excited for you!!!