Celebrate Easter with our mini Carrot Cheesecake Jars made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese. These are fun and festive, decadent, and delicious. The texture is perfectly smooth and creamy thanks to our Lifeway Farmer Cheese which is a small-batch cheese full of protein and probiotics. The mix of farmer cheese, carrots, and sugary-sweet seasonings produces a cake that is lavish and luxurious. The crust, which is made from a blend of pecans, graham crackers, and coconut sugar, makes for a bottom half that’s just as tasty!
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is also a great source of all these nutrients, just in a different format for all the cheese lovers out there.
Prep Time: 60 mins Servings: 6-8Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 1/2 cups organic graham cracker crumbs (we used Annie's)
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp. melted coconut oil
- 2 medium carrots
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (divided into half)
- 32 oz. (2 containers) Farmer Cheese
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp. orange or lemon extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- Toppings: chocolate covered almonds, bunny confections, and Lifeway Whipped Farmer Cheese*
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely ground. Place in a medium bowl with graham crackers, melted coconut oil, and coconut sugar. Stir to combine.
- Divide crumb mixture into two. Pour and press down half the mixture in a spring loaded cheesecake pan. Divide the other half of the crumb mixture into about 6 mason jars, just filling the bottom of each, pressing down to compact mixture.
- Add the carrots to a saucepan with 1/4 cup of organic coconut sugar and 2 tbsp. water. Cook, stirring often, until carrots are soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the carrots and juices to a bowl, and cool to room temperature.
- Beat the Farmer Cheese, vanilla, and remaining 1/4 cup coconut sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 4 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down sides of bowl after each addition. Add the carrots and pan juices, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, orange extract, salt, and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined. Fill the cheesecake pan leaving about 1/4 in at the top.
- Bake cheesecake for about 40 minutes or until the cheesecake doesn't wiggle a lot. You want a small jiggle to your cheesecake.
- Transfer cheesecake pan to a rack, and allow to cool. Once cooled, spoon out the baked cheesecake into the filled mason jars. Then refrigerate, uncovered, for 6 hours or overnight.
- Top with shredded carrots and any other options you enjoy. We use chocolate covered almonds and additional whipped farmer cheese for ours!*
