The Enchanted Garden on the Disney Dream is a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by French gardens and featuring a dining environment that transforms from day to night. Custom glass “flower” light fixtures, ornamental light posts and a charming terrace fountain add enchantment to the room.

Dining at The Enchanted Garden is part of the rotational dining experience on the Disney Dream. The Disney Cruise Line originated the rotational dining concept. Guests experience a different restaurant for dinner each night, the same servers accompany them, providing friendly, familiar, personalized service.

Today's Foodie Fare find is a recipe for one of the dessert offerings from The Disney Dream's Enchanted Garden menu, a delicious classic Strawberry Cheesecake

Strawberry Cheesecake

Makes 1 (10-inch) cheesecake (8 servings)
Difficulty: Moderate
Cooking time 60-120 min.
Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 pinch cinnamon

Strawberry Cheesecake Filling:

1 (1-pound) bag frozen strawberries, thawed
5 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 drop red food coloring
1/4 cup heavy cream

Cooking Directions:

For the graham cracker crust:

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Stir until mixture is uniform and clumps together like wet sand.
Press mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan.
Bake for 10 minutes, then cool completely before using.

For the strawberry cheesecake filling:

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Puree strawberries in a food processor. Set aside.
Combine cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at low speed until combined, and then increase mixer speed to medium. Beat until batter is very smooth, about 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Sift the flour into the cream cheese mixture and beat until fully combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating until mixture is smooth.
Slowly add reserved strawberry puree, red food* coloring and heavy cream, and beat until mixture is completely combined.
Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure the batter is mixed well. Pour batter into prepared crust, smoothing the top.
Bake until cheesecake is set, but still wobbles slightly, about 55 minutes to 1 hour.
Cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 hours, then refrigerate overnight.

To Serve:

Dip a long, thin knife in hot water, and run it along the sides of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Carefully remove the ring.

Cook’s Note:

To create the miniature cheesecakes served at Enchanted Garden, prepare cheesecake according to the recipe, but instead of baking in a springform pan, make the cheesecakes in small cake rings, sold in specialty-foods stores. Reduce baking time by 15 minutes.

*I skip the food coloring
Recipe and photos ©Disney Dream Cruise™

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The Enchanted Garden's Dessert Menu

Sweet Temptations~a trio of esterhazy cake, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate silk mousse
Steamed Lemon Buttermilk Pudding with citrus reduction
Esterhazy Cake~Almond meringue soaked in maraschino liqueur and layered pastry cream
"Sacher" Chocolate Torte with apricot sauce
Banana Foster Sundae~Rum glazed bananas, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel sauce