Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Preparing the Classic Cooked Cherry Topping
- Combine the frozen sweet cherries and honey in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot and bubbly, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the whiskey (if using) and stir to combine. Let it cook for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen.
- Stir in the butter until it melts completely, making the sauce extra rich.
- Mix together the lemon juice with the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth, then pour it into the cherry mixture. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the topping thickens to a lovely consistency.
- Add the almond extract and stir well.
- Pour the cherry topping into a bowl and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, or until thoroughly chilled. This chilling is crucial for a perfectly set topping.
Crafting the Creamy Cheesecake Filling
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk.
- Whip them together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese—this is why using room-temperature cream cheese is so important!
Building the Graham Cracker Crust
- Crush the graham crackers until they resemble fine crumbs. You can do this in a food processor or by placing them in a sturdy bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.
- For a more moist and cohesive crust that holds together beautifully, I always mix in about 2 tablespoons of melted butter with the graham cracker crumbs.
Assembling Your Mini Shooters
- Spoon a layer of the graham cracker crust into the bottom of each mini wine glass, shot glass, or small jar.
- Fill a pastry bag or a sturdy zipper bag with the cream cheese filling. Snip off a small corner of the bag.
- Pipe a generous helping of the cream cheese filling over the crumbs in each glass. For a thicker, richer filling, I always use two packages of cream cheese. One package will result in a slightly more pudding-like, softer texture.
- Top the filling with a big spoonful of your chilled cherry topping.
- Garnish each shooter with a sprinkle of sliced almonds for an elegant finish and a little crunch.
- Chill the assembled shooters for at least an hour before serving to allow everything to set perfectly.
Nutrition
Notes
Once assembled, these shooters keep in the fridge for 2-3 days; cover individually. Freeze (without almonds) for up to 1 month, thawing overnight. Use room-temp cream cheese for smooth filling. Adequate chilling of topping and assembled shooters is crucial for best texture and set. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.