Best 19 Cream Cheese Crust Recipes

PEANUT BUTTER MOON PIE: CHOCOLATE CAKE, GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST, PEANUT BUTTER CREAM CHEESE FILLING, MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 36 muffin liners. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix with your hands until well combined. Press 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the cupcake liners and bake for 7 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• For the chocolate cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla and coffee and mix for about a minute until well combined. Fill the 36 muffin pans with the pre-baked graham cracker crust three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• For the peanut butter cream cheese filling: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the peanut butter and mix until fully incorporated.
• For the marshmallow frosting: In small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, 5 ounces water and the cream of tarter and boil until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and vanilla until firm peaks form. With mixer on high, slowly stream the hot sugar mixture into the egg whites and mix for about 3 minutes.
• To assemble: Use a knife to cut a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with peanut butter cream cheese filling with a spoon and frost with marshmallow frosting.

NO DOUGH PIZZA LOW CARB CREAM CHEESE PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper. With a handheld mixer, mix cream cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and parmesan cheese until combined. Spread into baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes.
• Spread pizza sauce on crust. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle pizza with garlic powder. Bake 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted.

CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese and butter and mix together incorporating flour a little at a time.
• Roll out with a rolling pin between 2 wax papers. Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate and prick with fork before half-baking to prevent shrinkage. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

THE PERFECT CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl until evenly blended. Mix in the flour until a dough forms; divide into 6 balls. Use immediately or wrap tightly and freeze until needed.

FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Food processor method:
• Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it until frozen solid, at least 30 minutes. Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour mixture in a food processor with the metal blade and process for a few seconds to combine. Set the bag aside.
• Cut the cream cheese into 3 or 4 pieces and add it to the flour. Process for about 20 seconds or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the frozen butter cubes and pulse until none of the butter is larger than the size of a pea. (Toss with a fork to see it better.) Remove the cover and add the water and vinegar. Pulse until most of the butter is reduced to the size of small peas. The mixture will be in particles and will not hold together. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a double-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Wrap the dough with the plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs) and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
• Hand method:
• Place a medium mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.
• Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cream cheese and rub the mixture between your fingers to blend the cream cheese into the flour until it resembles coarse meal. Spoon the mixture, together with the cold butter, into a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag. Expel any air from the bag and close it. Use a rolling pin to flatten the butter into thin flakes. Place the bag in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or until the butter is very firm.
• Transfer the mixture to the chilled bowl, scraping the sides of the bag. Set the bag aside. Sprinkle the mixture with the water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a rubber spatula. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a two-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
• Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
• Wrap the dough with plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs), and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
• Store:
• Refrigerated, up to 2 days; frozen, up to 3 months.
• Understanding
• A classic cream cheese crust contains no water and is more tender than an all-butter crust but not at all flaky. I have found it to be so tender it is impossible to use for a lattice top and the bottom crust often develops cracks through which a filling will leak and stick to the bottom of the pan. Very little water is needed, because the cream cheese contains 51 percent water. The addition of a small amount of water connects the two gluten-forming proteins in the flour, producing the rubbery, stretchy gluten that strenghtens the structure just enough to prevent cracking when the crust bakes. This pie crust does not shrink or distort as much as an all-butter crust because there is less development of gluten. The acidity of the vinegar weakens the gluten that forms, making the crust still more tender and less likely to shrink. If desired, it can be replaced with water.
• Cream cheese is 51 percent water and 37.7 percent fat, so 3 ounces contain 1.53 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) or water and 1.13 ounces of fat. That means that the pie crust with 6.5 ounces of flour contains the equivalent of about 4 1/2 tablespoons of water. Compared to the all-butter crust, this crust has about 1 tablespoon more water, 1.13 ounces more of fat, and .34 ounce more milk solids. The extra fat in the cream cheese coats some of the proteins in the flour, limiting the development of gluten, which would make it tougher. The milk solids add both flavor and smoothness of texture.
• The baking powder lifts and aerates the dough slightly without weakening it, but it also makes it seem more tender.
• In developing this recipe, I found that if not using the vinegar and baking powder to tenderize the crust, it is advisable to add one quarter of the butter together with the cream cheese when using all-purpose flour. This helps to moisture-proof it but, of course, takes away a little from the flakiness, as there is less butter available to add in larger pieces to create layers.

NO-CRUST CREAM CHEESE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Grease (or spray w/ nonstick cooking spray) a 10-inch pie dish.
• In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until creamy. Pour into greased pie dish. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes (Don't turn off oven). In a small bowl, mix together sour cream and 3 Tbsp sugar---pour on top of pie.
• Return to 350 degree oven for additional 10 minutes. Cool 1 hour then chill. May top with fresh fruit or pie filling.

FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Place a medium bowl into freezer to chill.
• Wrap cubed butter in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour in a medium bowl; add salt and whisk to combine. Rub in cream cheese using clean fingers until mixture develops coarse crumbs. Place cream cheese mixture and chilled butter into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Flatten the cream cheese-butter mixture into thin flakes through the bag, using a rolling pin. Freeze until mixture is firm, about 10 minutes. Pour mixture into the chilled bowl. Sprinkle with water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a spatula. Knead until dough holds together and is slightly elastic.
• Place dough back into the plastic bag and flatten into a disk. Refrigerate, 45 minutes to overnight, before using.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

Steps:

• Combine strawberries, tapioca and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in 2 quart saucepan.
• Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
• Add melted butter to the cracker/sugar mixture until evenly coated.
• Press into pie tins.
• Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Let cool.
• Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until well blended.
• Whip cream until stiff.
• Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.
• Pour cream cheese filling into cooled pie crusts, spreading evenly on bottoms and sides, creating a shallow depression.
• Store in refrigerator until strawberry topping is cooled.
• Carefully spoon strawberry topping into the depression previously made in the filling.
• Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

RUSTIC APPLE TART WITH RICH CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• TO MAKE THE FILLING: Peel the apples and cut them in half.
• Remove the cores with a paring knife.
• Cutting from blossom end to stem end, slice each half into 1/4 inch thick slices.
• Combine the apple slices with the lemon juice, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to combine.
• Let the apples stand until the sugar is dissolved, about 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Place a shaped large dough round on a baking sheet.
• Arrange the apples slices in 2 concentric circles on the large dough round or in one circle on the small rounds, overlapping the apple slices slightly.
• Brush the rim of the crust with the egg yolk.
• Sprinkle the apples with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with Vanilla Whipped Cream or ice cream on the side.
• Rustic Apple Tart is best served on the day it is made.
• TO MAKE THE CHEESE TART DOUGH: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the cream cheese, butter, 1 cup flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor.
• Process until the dough just comes together.
• It will be sticky.
• Sprinkle the parchment paper with flour.
• Turn the dough out onto the sheet and, with floured hands, press the dough into a rough 10-inch circle or four 5-inch circles.
• Roll about 1/2 inch of the edge of the circle inward to create a lip to catch the juices.
• Refrigerate the crust for 1 hour or wrap the baking sheet in plastic and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours until you are ready to use it.
• Shaped Rich Cream Cheese Tart Dough, wrapped in plastic, may be frozen for up to 2 months and used directly from the freezer.
• TO MAKE VANILLA WIHPPED CREAM: Combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
• With an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip on high speed until the cream just holds stiff peaks.
• Do not over whip.
• Use immediately, or refrigerate it, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 6 hours.
• Whisk it again for a couple of seconds before using.
• NOTE: If you are having eight or fewer people for Thanksgiving, double this recipe and make eight individual tarts.
• The dough can be made and shaped weeks ahead of time, and the rest of the prep is minimal, leaving lots of time to prepare the rest of the meal.

PECAN PIE WITH CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Set aside 16 pecan halves for garnish; coarsely chop remaining pecans. Stir together eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in chopped pecans, and pour mixture into prepared piecrust, spreading evenly. Garnish edges with remaining pecan halves.
• Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake, rotating halfway through, until filling is just set and crust is golden brown, about 90 minutes. (Tent with foil if nuts are getting too dark.) Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool completely.

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE DESSERT WITH PRETZEL CRUST

Steps:

• Using a zip-loc bag and a rolling pin, crush pretzels. Add to a mixing bowl.
• Add sugar and melted butter, Mix. Set aside 1/2 C mixture for topping.
• Press the remaining pretzel mixture into a 13' x 9" dish.
• Using a stand mixer, beat whipped topping and cream cheese about 3 minutes.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
• Spread one half of cream cheese mixture over pretzels in the dish.
• Top with the can of blueberry pie filling. Use the back of a spoon to gently spread it out.
• Top bluebarry mixture with the rest of the cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 C pretzel mixture.
• Refrigerate overnight.

GARDEN VEGETABLE QUICHE WITH A CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Combine flour, 1/2 cup butter, and softened cream cheese in a medium bowl, stirring until blended. Shape into a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. (You can do this while you chop veggies and saute them).
• Saute mushrooms and next 5 ingredients in 2 tbsp melted butter in a large skillet until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat; stir in paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Press the chilled pastry evenly on bottom and up sides of a 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle muenster cheese over the pastry. Spoon reserved sauteed vegetables evenly over the cheese.
• Combine the eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Beat with a wire whisk until blended. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.
• Saute 3 tbsp chopped onion in 1 tbsp butter in a small skillet until tender. Drain, and sprinkle the onions over the quiche. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until it is the size of peas. Add the cream cheese and pulse until it is the size of peas. Add the vinegar and 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse a few times, until the dough holds together when squeezed. Gather into a ball on a sheet of plastic wrap. Pat into a disk, wrap and chill at least 4 hours.

CREAM CHEESE PUMPKIN PIE WITH PECAN CRUST

Steps:

• For Crust: Butter 9 inch diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Blend flour, sugar, and salt in processor using on/off turns. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse corn meal. Add water and process just until moist clumps form. Transfer to large bowl. Add pecans and knead gently until pecans are incorporated and dough comes together. Press dough on bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly and keep refrigerated.) Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375. Line crust with foil; fill with beans or pie weights. Back until crust sides are firm, about 10 minutes. Remove beans and foil and bake until crust begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer crust to rack. Maintain oven temperature. For filling: Beat cream cheese and sour cream in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just to blend after each addition. Transfer 1/3 cup cheese mixture to small bowl. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and cloves to cheese mixture in large bowl and beat until blended. Spread pumpkin filling in crust. Drop reserved 1/3 cup cheese mixture by teaspoonfuls over pumpkin filling. Using tip of small sharp knife, gently swirl cheese mixture into pumpkin mixture in decorative pattern. Bake pie until filling is firm in center, about 30 minutes. Cool pie on rack. Cover and chill. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

CRANBERRY-TEQUILA CREAM CHEESE TART WITH CORNMEAL CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix first 4 ingredients in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cream cheese and pulse 3 times to combine. Blend in enough ice water by tablespoonfuls until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Transfer to lightly floured surface. Roll out dough to 15-inch round. Transfer dough to 11- to 12-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in excess dough to form double-thick sides. Transfer tart pan to freezer and chill crust for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans and bake until crust is firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer tart pan to rack; let crust cool completely in pan.
• For filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until light. Beat in powdered sugar, then remaining ingredients.
• Spread cream cheese filling evenly in crust. Refrigerate until filling sets, about 2 hours.
• For glaze:
• Combine first 6 ingredients in medium saucepan over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Add cranberries. Return to boil. Boil 1 minute. Transfer glaze to bowl and cool completely.
• Spoon glaze over filling. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.) Garnish tart with orange peel.

CREAM CHEESE SWIRL TART WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST

Steps:

• Make the crust: In a medium bowl, stir the flour, oats, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder to combine. Add the butter to the bowl and mix with your hands (or a fork or pastry cutter) until the butter is incorporated and the mixture starts to look crumbly. (Try to work quickly, so the butter stays chilled.) Add 2 tablespoons cool water and mix until the mixture comes together to form large clumps. (It should hold together firmly when squeezed.) If the mixture looks dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it comes together. If it feels too soft, transfer to the refrigerator to firm up for a few minutes.
• Using your fingers, press the prepared streusel into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable base. Work your way around the edges of the tart pan, pressing firmly to make sure it is evenly thick. Break away any excess that pops over the edge of the pan so that it is relatively flush. Crumble the excess streusel into the base of the pan, and press it into an even layer.
• Transfer the crust in the tart pan to the freezer while you heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Transfer the chilled crust to a baking sheet and bake until it appears set and dry to the touch in the center, 20 to 23 minutes. Cool completely.
• While the crust cools, prepare the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment (or if using a hand mixer, in a large bowl), whip the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula.
• With the mixer running on medium-low speed, gradually add the cream a little at a time, allowing each addition to incorporate before adding more. Continue to whip on medium-high speed until the mixture is thick and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl well. Add the vanilla and almond extract and whip until well combined.
• In a small pot, heat the jam until warm; this should loosen the mixture considerably. If the jam contains large pieces of fruit, you can use a fork or potato masher to crush them slightly, once the mixture is warm. Strain the jam through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing firmly to extract as much as possible. Discard any solids or seeds that remain in the strainer.
• Drizzle about 1/2 of the warm, strained jam over the cream cheese filling. (Don't worry about adding the warm mixture to the cold filling; it will set up as it hits the cold mixture). Gently fold it a few times to loosely combine the two. Scoop the filling into the cooled crust and spread into a relatively even layer. Drizzle the remaining jam over the surface of the filling. Use a small offset spatula or the back of a small spoon to swoop across the filling back and forth a few times to lightly swirl the jam into the filling, leaving some large streaks of jam. (Note: If you mix too much, the two mixtures will combine and you'll end up with a tinted filling rather than a streaky filling.) Serve immediately, or chill for up to 24 hours, loosely covered, before serving.
• To remove the tart from the pan, support the base with one hand and push upward to release it from the outer ring. If desired, run a small offset spatula around the bottom to help release the tart from the base and slide it onto a serving platter. (Alternately, you can leave the tart on its base and simply set on top of a serving platter.)

CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• 1. Combine softened cream cheese and margarine, mixing until well blended. Add flour and salt; mix well. Form into ball; chill thoroughly. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 12 inch circle. Place in 9-inch pie plate. Trim and flute edge; prick bottom and sides with fork. Bake at 400^ for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• 2. For tart shells, divide dough into 24 balls; press into mini muffin pan. Bake at 400^ , 10-12 minutes. --- For pies that bake longer that 40 minutes, cover rims of pie with foil to prevent excess browning.

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE POT PIES WITH CREAM CHEESE CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix flour and salt in processor. Add butter and cheese; blend until moist clumps form. Shape dough into 6-inch-long log. Wrap; chill while making chicken and filling.
• For chicken:
• Place all ingredients in large pot; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 45 minutes. Transfer chicken to large bowl; cool. Discard skin and bones. Cut meat into 1-inch pieces; return to bowl. Strain cooking liquid into large saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3 cups stock, about 1 hour.
• For filling and assembly:
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add peppers and onion; cook until soft, about 6 minutes. Transfer to bowl with chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; sauté until just brown, about 4 minutes. Add to bowl with chicken; mix in next 4 ingredients.
• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 3 cups stock, then milk, cream and beef base; bring to boil. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Stir 3 cups sauce into chicken mixture (reserve remaining sauce for another use).
• Cut prepared dough crosswise into 6 equal pieces. Roll out pieces to 7-inch rounds on lightly floured surface. Divide filling among six 2-cup soufflé dishes. Cover each dish with 1 dough round. Press overhang to side of dish to adhere. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush top of each dough round with egg glaze; cut 3 slits in each for steam to escape. Bake pies until crust is golden brown and filling is heated through, about 45 minutes.
• *Sold at specialty foods stores and in the soup section of many supermarkets

THE PERFECT CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and salt in a large mixing bowl until evenly blended. Mix in the flour until a dough forms; divide into 6 balls.
• Use immediately or wrap tightly and freeze until needed.