Canada Day Recipe: Strawberry {Maple Leaf} Cheesecake Tarts

Before we jump right into this recipe, I’ve got news you’re going to want to know:

1. You only have two days left to enter my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker giveaway! Just leave a comment here and you’re entered to win!
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3. I have a new family page where I will be writing about random things that happen in my life. Things are bound to get interesting! Check out my latest post here.

Ok…moving on…

Happy Canada Day! I can’t believe that Will & Kate are in Ottawa celebrating without me! {For you newcomers, I’m from Ottawa and used to go every year to Parliament Hill to celebrate and watch the fireworks.} Yes, I’m a sucker for that darn Royal Family! I got up early to watch the wedding too….and it’s still on my DVR.  So, I’m a little bummed about missing them.

But, on the bright side, I made some awfully tasty treats to wallow in my sorrows! {Ha! Just kidding!} These are individual tarts filled with cheesecake and topped with fresh strawberries arranged in a maple leaf. Super delicious in my opinion. {Do you know how hard it is to make a leaf out of strawberries? It took me forever to figure out this configuration…and even still, they look like red christmas trees. Oh well! You get the idea…}

Only a few ingredients goes into these tarts and odds are you have most of them on hand! And, there is no baking involved! As long as you have a refrigerator, you are good to go! And if you’re celebrating the 4th of July, just add a few blueberries and you’ve got your red, white and blue dessert all covered!

Happy Canada day to all my fellow Canadian readers out there! Have fun partying in my home and native land! 🙂

Strawberry Maple Leaf Cheesecake Tarts
yield: 4

Ingredients:

for the crusts-
1 sleeve graham crackers, finely ground
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar

for the filling-
1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

sliced strawberries

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for crusts until moist. Divide evenly between the 4 individual tart pans and press into the bottom and up the sides. {I used 4 x .75 inch mini tart pans by wilton…found them at walmart.} Place into refrigerator to harden.

In the mean time, whip cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt together until combined. Slice strawberries.

When you are ready to assemble, remove tarts from refrigerator and spread cream cheese filling into the bottom on each tart, being careful to not get any crumbs into the filling. Arrange sliced strawberries into a maple leaf on top. {Easier said then done!} Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.