Cannon Beach Summer Appetizer: Pesto Cheesecake

Gather your family and friends, head to the beach, and get ready for great times with delicious dishes! This tasty pesto cheesecake recipe is sure to delight anywhere at any time of the year, but it's simply divine to enjoy during a summer hangout at Cannon Beach. It's the perfect little appetizer to serve at potlucks, backyard BBQs, or even picnics on the beach.

In addition to this pesto cheesecake recipe being delicious, it's also simple and easy to make. Check it out!

 

Pesto Cheesecake Ingredients

Crust

• 3/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pine nuts
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

Filling

• 1 cup pesto
• 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk

Topping

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
• 2 (or more) drops of Tabasco to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 

Combine crust ingredients. Press on bottom and 1 inch up sides of lightly greased, 8-inch springform pan. Set aside. 

Beat softened cream cheese at high speed in mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add milk and pesto. Blend well and taste for additional seasonings; adjust. Pour into crumb-lined springform pan. 

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Center will be soft. Turn off oven, partially open door, and leave one hour. Remove and cool to room temperature. Wrap in 2 layers of plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days. 

To serve, unmold on serving plate (a footed cake plate is attractive). Combine topping ingredients and spread on top of cake. Garnish with pine nuts and a sprig of basil. Serves 25-40 as an hors d’oeuvre (appetizer/starter plate).


And that's it! After you've made this pesto cheesecake once, you'll be tempted to make it again every week. Enjoy it right here at your Cannon Beach vacation rental, or make it at home to bring to your next summer potluck.

Find more of our tasty recipes by browsing our Cannon Beach blog, and book your stay at our wonderful coastal home by browsing our extensive selection of Cannon Beach vacation homes.