Once upon a time I was a college chick. I had my own downtown Chicago apartment and a bunch of friends to share it with on the weekends. We partied like rock stars (sometimes even with them – HI LL COOL J! ), we ate bad food, and drank whatever we could afford – aka Mad Dog 50/50. (what the? blah!)
But on Sundays all that would change because I would step into the kitchen and work some magic! (And help out a few hangovers.) This was our weekend ritual; party from Thursday to Saturday, and eat Katerina’s food on Sundays.
One Sunday afternoon, while everyone was still asleep, I rolled out of bed and before I even brushed my hair, I went straight to the fridge (too much drinky drink the night before) because my mind was on one thing, and one thing only – cream cheese dessert… any cream cheese dessert. I was actually aiming for a cheesecake, but that didn’t happen because it was going to take too long – I needed to satisfy this craving ASAP.
I then went to my trusted recipe booklet (a Microsoft Word Document) and pulled up a recipe that I had copied down from a magazine. I have no idea what magazine it came from, but I still have the recipe and go to it whenever I am in need of something quick and delicious.
I ate two full servings before someone finally got up that morning and joined me for the other two. I had to make more for the rest of the crowd.
Thus if you are making this for company, double the recipe.
Get your ramekins ready and start – these only take about 30 minutes from start to finish!
***When eating this, push the teaspoon to the side – it’s best if you use the cookies to scoop out the mixture. MMMMM!
ENJOY!

- 1 package (8 ounces) Cream Cheese, room temperature, softened
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 8 fresh dates , pitted and chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- zest from one small orange
- powdered sugar for garnish
- vanilla or shortbread cookies , or tea biscuits, for serving
- Preheat oven at 350.
- In a deep mixing bowl beat together the cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and flour.
- Fold in the dates, ginger, and orange zest.
- Spoon the mixture into small (6 ounces or smaller) lightly sprayed ramekins – you’ll need only 4.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden on top.
- Dust heavily with powdered sugar.
- Serve warm with a side of vanilla cookies or shortbread biscuits.
Want To Save This Recipe?
I’m not good in baking but I’ll try my best to make it 🙂
Wow, this looks amazing! This is total comfort food. My sister would love this dessert. Forget about the out-of-the-box betty crocker cake (it’s probably blasphemy to even suggest such a thing on FoodBuzz 🙂 , I’m going to make this for her birthday. Thanks!!
Very creative, I can only imagine what your kitchen smelled like! I could have def. used some hangover magic to help this chick today 🙂
Kate, this is beautiful dessert….and lovely photos.
I don’t know why but I don’t see your posts on the Foodbuzz so I can’t always catch your new posts….love to read your blog…have a nice rest of the weekend:)
We weren’t “friends” on Foodbuzz … I just saw that! I sent you an invite. 🙂
Oh, Kate, these are beautiful! And I know everything you share is just as delicious as gorgeous.
I can definitely see why this would be delicious hangover food!! Yum. Ok: Did you REALLY hang out with LL Cool J? I love him. Jealous!! Also: I just posted the giveaway winner … and a little bird told me that it just might be your lucky day!! xoxo
Sounds like some fun times! This dessert seems so easy; it belies how special a treat it is. Must try this soon! 🙂
I have never seen anything like this before! They look fantastic 🙂 I love college memories, but definitely didn’t have anything like these in mine!
date and ginger are yummy flavours haven’t had with cream cheese before looks wonderful
Oooh I love hangover food (not that this is hangover food – buuut for the sake of the story Im labeling it that). This does sound delicious though – no matter why Im snacking on it.
what a funny story. guess most of us party like rock starts in college.
your super fast cheesecake substitute sounds amazing. can’t wait to try it. thanks for sharing Kate
Oh for those carefree days when our only worry was how to ease a hangover! Wait a second… didn’t we have that problem last weekend? Anyway, hangover or not this is so crave-able, if that’s a word. Just aching for a spoon to dig into that creamy goodness!
It looks so good 🙂 love your post 😉
i’m officially drooling…
Yum! I can’t believe you made these when you were hungover in college, they look way to fabulous for that.
I just love the name cream pots, I don’t know why, call me weird:) This recipe sounds so creamy and delicious, definitely something to eat with a small spoon and savor each bite!
What a wonderful recipe… so pretty to serve at an elegant dinner party as well~
I think that would make a great treat with or without the hangover! It sounds delicious.
Oh wow, this sounds delicious! What a unique combination of ingredients!
This recipe looks delicious, I love the flavors! This would be the perfect breakfast I think 🙂
One of my sorority sisters would make crepes for us whenever we were hungover and they were the best! I bet these would beat the crepes in terms of hangover food!
wonderful recipe. i love quick and tasty desserts.
Oh what a creative little dessert, I rarely cook with cream cheese but willing to give those a try!
These look SO delish! I wish I had one right now. Can you send one through the screen? 🙂
Looking great, I love the presentation and flavors of your dessert! Funny post!!!:))
I love dates in ANY dessert, but this sounds especially delicious in a pudding like dessert and with the addition of the ginger!
This is going to be so yummy 🙂 I don’t like dates at all.. can you suggest me something else I can use in stead !
I’m thinking figs! I hope you like figs 🙂
wow…this looks heavenly! what a unique combination of flavors – never had dates and ginger together.. do you think the dates can be substituted with another type of fruit?
I am going to suggest figs… I think that’s the best alternative.
Haha! Oh the good ole’ days huh? This sounds delicious, and I can see why you still make it, as it looks incredible! Great story!
Where the heck where you when I needed a good hangie-cure breakfast on Sunday morning, huh? When I was in college, Sunday meant I splurged at Jack in the Box for a Breakfast Jack. Yikes. Awesome recipe, love me some quick yummies.
Oh, wow… This looks so decadent! Your stories are always so entertaining 🙂
these little pots sound so delicious, and I love using the cookies for a spoon. Less dishes to wash, especially good, when you have have a hangover:)
I think I’m not much of a typical college girl… if I go to one party/semester it is generous :P. But I do cook a lot ;).
This looks SO good! Cream cheese with dates, ginger and orange; all things I love!!!
I wish I had known about your parties when I was staying in Chicago.. :)) This dessert sounds amazing! Cream cheese desserts I like a lot and this one has such great ingredients as dates, orange zest, lemon juice..
Now I want to get back to college too (not grad school!)….
Sigh, I remember those days of Thurs-Sat partying too. Good Times! These cream pots look so delish, especially with the ginger flavoring.
Fantastic Cream Pots, and fun background 🙂
Haha I can’t picture this at all Kate especially the Mad Dog! Hahah. These pots look beautiful and so delicious. Love the date and ginger combo too 🙂
These sound so decadent, what a wonderful flavor profile with dates and ginger, love it! A must try for sure!
Ha – this was a hangover cure? I love it. I like that it’s such a different flavor. You see a lot of the same “flavors” in baking these days, and this is a beautiful standout!
What the? Where’d that come from 🙂 You’re so cute and your friends were lucky to have you making hangover cures like these! Yum, love the citrus zing.
This is simple and sinful at the same time. What a way to crush a craving really quick. Gotta try this.
These look wonderful! And I love the idea of using the cookie as a spoon. We should eat every meal that way!
Mad Dog – LOL!! You’re too funny. These ginger cream pots look so good 🙂
What a cute story and awesome recipe!
What a great combination, Kate!!! Wish I wasn’t trying to diet and could go home and make these tonight… But, whole grain pasta with spinach and sun dried tomatoes will have to do 🙁
Oh does this sound good!!!! I’m wishing you were my roommate in college. I could have used these on a Sunday morning!
This looks delicious! I’m totally hooked on both dates and ginger – always keep both in my pantry. Personally, though, I’m more a “straight for eggs and bacon” kinda gal after a few drinks. 😉
yum…isn’t it funny how sometimes the best things come from hangover cravings? 🙂 These look fabulous.
Kate-all these wonderful flavors!I love cream cheese and need to make this soon! This looks delicious! Thank you for all your support recenly:)