Apple Butter Cardamom Cheesecake Food

CHEDDAR CHEESECAKE WITH APPLE BUTTER CARAMEL

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Wrap the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan with 3 pieces of heavy-duty foil.
• For the crust: Add the crackers, sugar and cheddar cheese to a food processor and process until fine crumbs form, about 1 minute. Pour in the melted butter and pulse until well incorporated and the mixture holds together when pinched between your fingers, 10 to 12 pulses. Press the crumb mixture into the prepared springform pan, taking care to get the crust evenly to the edges. Bake until golden brown and set, 10 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes then place in a large roasting pan.
• For the cheesecake: Beat the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until well combined, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until just combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, one at a time, until just combined. (Take care not to overmix or the cheesecake will puff up and crack.) Pour the batter evenly over the crust, smoothing the top. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cake is set but the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan once more and unlock to unmold the cheesecake. Remove from the springform base and transfer to a serving platter or cake stand and smooth the edges with a knife.
• For the apple butter caramel: About 2 hours before serving the cheesecake, whisk the heavy cream, apple butter, corn syrup, butter, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until very smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly in a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the sugar melts and is smooth, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and slowly drizzle in the warm cream mixture, whisking constantly. Return the skillet to medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer; cook, whisking frequently, until smooth and a deep amber color, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a heat proof container and refrigerate, uncovered, until cool, about 1 hour.
• Pour the caramel sauce into the center of the cake and use an offset spatula to spread it out, letting some of the sauce drip over the sides. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

APPLE CARDAMOM CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F
• CRUST: Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Press firmly onto bottom and 1-inch up sides of 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
• GLAZED APPLES: Cut apples into thin slices (about 1/4-inch thick). Add remaining ingredients to apples in large skillet. Cook on medium heat 5-10 minutes or until apples begin to caramelize, turning frequently. Arrange apples on bottom of crust.
• FILLING: Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar, vanilla and lemon peel. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Spoon evenly over apples.
• Bake 60-70 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn oven off and allow cheesecake to cool in oven 1 hour with door slightly ajar. Run small knife or metal spatula around rim of pan or loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

APPLE BUTTER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine crushed ginger snaps, sugar, and melted butter. Blend well. Press the crust with a spoon into a 10-inch springform pan. Make sure to cover the bottom and the sides evenly. Bake the crust at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, and then let it cool. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and dry ingredients until smooth. Add sour cream to the mixture. Beat in the eggs. Add Apple Butter and butter, and beat until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared ginger snap crust. Bake at 350 in a water bath for about 2 hours.

BLUE RIBBON APPLE BUTTER CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Grease a 9x13" baking pan or coat with nonstick spray.
• In a large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter, maple syrup and salt until lightened and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Beat or stir the flour into the butter mixture just until evenly incorporated.
• Firmly press the dough into the pan.
• Lay a sheet of wax paper over the dough, then press it out to the edges until flat and smooth on top. Peel off and discard the paper. Using a fork, prick the dough all over.
• Bake in the upper third of the oven for 17-21 minutes or until tinged with brown at the edges.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool briefly.
• Using a table knife, spread the apple butter evenly over the dough.
• CREAM CHEESE LAYER.
• In a food processor, process the cream, maple syrup, egg and vanilla until well blended and completely smooth, about 30 seconds, stopping and scraping down the bowl sides several times or beat in bowl of electric mixer on low speed, the cream cheese, until very smooth, add the maple syrup, egg and vanilla and continue beating until well blended.
• Pour the cream-cheese mixture over the apple butter, rap the pan or generously shake it to spread the cream cheese mixture out to the edges.
• Bake in upper third of oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cream cheese layer is beginning to brown and appears barely set when the pan is jiggled.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let stand until cooled. Sift the cinnamon over the top.
• Refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 1 hour.
• Using a large sharp knife, cut the slab into 18 bars, wipe the knife clean between cuts.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month -- If freezing, leave slab whole, then cut into bars when partially thawed.