Mr. Mean One Pistachio Cheesecake with Cherry Swirl & Dubai-Style Kadayif

Description:
Mr. Mean One is a bold, show-stopping dessert made for those who appreciate craftsmanship and unforgettable flavor. This ultra-creamy pistachio cheesecake is swirled with a vibrant cherry sauce that adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. It’s crowned with crunchy, buttery Dubai-style kadayif for texture and finished with a glossy red white-chocolate ganache that makes every slice look as good as it tastes. Rich, elegant, and unapologetically unique — this is not your average cheesecake and definitely not a supermarket dessert.

Ingredients

Crust

1½ cups crushed graham crackers or pistachio cookies

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup melted butter

Pistachio Cheesecake Filling

3 packages cream cheese (8 oz each), softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup heavy cream or sour cream

½ cup pistachio paste or finely ground pistachios

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cherry Swirl

1½ cups cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)

¼ cup sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Dubai-Style Kadayif Topping

1½ cups kadayif (shredded phyllo dough)

4 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Red White-Chocolate Ganache

1 cup white chocolate, chopped

½ cup heavy cream

Red food coloring (as needed)

Method of Preparation

1. Prepare the Crust:
   Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Mix crushed crackers, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
2. Make the Cherry Swirl:
   In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until cherries soften. Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened. Let cool completely.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
   Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently. Blend in heavy cream, pistachio paste, and vanilla until fully incorporated.
4. Assemble the Cheesecake:
   Pour the pistachio filling over the cooled crust. Spoon cherry sauce on top and swirl gently with a knife.
5. Bake:
   Bake for 55–65 minutes, until the center is just slightly jiggly. Turn off oven, crack the door, and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
6. Prepare the Kadayif:
   Toss kadayif with melted butter and sugar. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crispy. Let cool.
7. Make the Ganache:
   Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over white chocolate and let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Add red food coloring to desired shade.
8. Finish & Decorate:
   Spread or drizzle ganache over the chilled cheesecake. Top generously with crispy kadayif.

Enjoy