Seven weeks after Pesach ends, we celebrate Shavuot. This holiday marks the biblical story of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. One of the most fun traditions on Shavuot is eating delicious dairy-based foods like blintzes, borekas, and cheesecake!
Since traditional cheesecake recipes can be time consuming and not entirely kid-friendly, we pulled together some of our favorite fast, easy, and tasty takes on cheesecake. Because really, who has time for nine hours of prep and a hot-water bath? Each linked recipe also includes suggestions for how kids can help. Happy eating and happy Shavuot!
Want to know more about why we eat dairy on Shavuot? Head over to MyJewishLearning for some answers.
Frozen Cheesecake Pops
via ThankYourBody
These cool, delicious treats are great to make all summer long - and easy to modify with other types of fruit too! Kids can help with selecting, washing, and rinsing berries as well as crushing biscuits. We're big fans of putting crackers in a plastic bag, and letting the little ones have at it.
The Fastest Easiest Cheesecake Ever
via King Arthur Flour
This may actually be one of the easiest ways to make a classic cheesecake we've ever encountered. Enlist kids to make the berry topping – there’s lots of stirring and a little bit of mashing to do.
Quick Cherry No-Bake Cheesecakes
via I Wash You Dry
If you grew up during the 1980s, it's highly likely that you may have snatched a few of these off the dessert tray during a "grownup" dinner party. These decadent little not quite cupcakes definitely stand the test of time. Kids will love making the "crusts" and helping set up the liners.
Fast Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes
via Tasty
You can also make these with regular cookies. There's plenty of cookie smashing to do here and small hands can also help with spooning the filling into the cupcake tins. We recommend using an ice cream scoop with a release for an easier pour and measure.
White Chocolate Lemon Cheesecake
via Minimalist Baker
Surprise! This recipe is actually dairy and gluten-free. You can make this for guests with dairy allergies or dietary restrictions. The recipe requires only 10 ingredients and a food processor. If you have guests with nut allergies, forgo the crust and swap the cashews for non-dairy cream cheese. You can serve a nut-free version like a pudding in small plastic cocktail cups. As with the other recipes, kids will love helping prep the “crusts” and measure the filling. If you don't have a food processor, your kids can help stir, stir, stir.
After you’re done eating your yummy Shavuot treats, expend some of that energy with a hike or settle down with a nice story. Do you have a favorite recipe to share with us?
Need some extra help menu planning for Shavuot? JoyofKosher has you covered.
May 14, 2018