Cherry Cheesecake Crumble

I have had a rough few days (understatement) and needed a pick-me-up.  Normally for me that doesn't involve sugary treats, as my indulges and comfort foods are more often savory.  But for whatever reason, I was in the mood for something sweet this time.  But I'm still me; when I do crave sweets, it usually involves fruit and/or cheese. 

Cheesecake covers those two items nicely.  I had some cream cheese and half a bag of frozen cherries leftover the other day and decided to throw something together.  I ended up with this cheesecake dish.  The idea is a cross between a crumble and a cheesecake.  We ate it still-warm with vanillla ice cream.  It was a sugar fest, but tasty.  I also ate some later chilled and it was great that way, too.

It's almost berry season, and this dish would work with fresh berries as well as it works with frozen fruit.  I always have vanilla sugar in the house because when I occassionally use a fresh vanilla bean, I toss the leftover vanilla pod into a small container of regular sugar which infuses the flavor into the sugar.  It can get refilled multiple times before running out of flavor.  

Cherry Cheesecake Crumble
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp  and 1 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp and 1 tsp vanilla sugar (or regular sugar and a drop of vanilla extract)
1 c halved frozen cherries
1 tsp corn starch
1/4 c oatmeal
1/4 c brown sugar
2 Tbsp butter in small pieces

In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, 1 Tbsp sugar, and egg until thoroughly mixed.  Stir in 2 Tbsp flour until just incorporated (you don't want to develop the gluten in the flour).  In a second bowl, stir together cherries, 1 tsp sugar and corn starch until evenly coated.  In yet another bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp flour, and cut in butter pieces.

In small baking dish, spread cheese mixture in a thin layer, top with a layer of cherry mixture, then sprinkle on crumble topping.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.  Serve hot (it will be goopy) or allow to cool (and get firmer).

Happy eating!