Ingredients:
- 1 cup (150 g) Fresh or Frozen Raspberries
- 2 Tbsp (30 g) Granulated Low-Carb Sweetener (for reduction)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) Water
- 4 oz (115 g) Full fat Cream Cheese, softened (for dough)
- 4 Tbsp (57 g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 g) Granulated Low-Carb Sweetener (for dough)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Vanilla Extract (for dough)
- 1 Large Egg Yolk
- 1 ½ cups (168 g) Fine Blanched Almond Flour
- 1 tsp (5 g) Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp (1 g) Pinch of Salt
- 2 oz (57 g) Full fat Cream Cheese, softened (for filling)
- 2 Tbsp (15 g) Powdered Low-Carb Sweetener (for filling)
- 1/4 tsp (1 ml) Vanilla Extract (for filling)
Instructions:
- Combine raspberries, 2 Tbsp sweetener, lemon juice, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the raspberries have broken down and the liquid has reduced significantly—it should be a thick, sticky paste, about 8–10 minutes.
- Remove the raspberry reduction from heat and allow it to cool completely before using.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the 4 oz cream cheese, butter, and granulated sweetener (1/2 cup) until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Scrape down the sides.
- Mix in the 1 tsp vanilla extract and the single egg yolk until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Whisk together the almond flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 45 minutes (up to 2 hours). This chilling step is essential.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 Tbsp per cookie) to portion the dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place them on the baking sheet.
- Use your thumb or the back of a rounded teaspoon to gently press a deep well into the centre of each cookie ball.
- Prepare the filling: Combine the 2 oz softened cream cheese, powdered sweetener, and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract until perfectly smooth. Place this mixture into a piping bag or small Ziploc bag.
- Place a small dollop (about 1/2 tsp) of the cooled raspberry reduction into the bottom of each thumbprint well. Top the raspberry layer with a small piped swirl of the cheesecake filling mixture.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden brown. The centers will look soft but should not be jiggly.
- Transfer the cookies immediately to a wire rack and allow them to cool fully. The centers will set up perfectly as they cool.