Chocolate And Praline Cheesecake Food

PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Crush 50 wafers finely; mix with 1/4 cup sugar and margarine. Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Stand remaining wafers around edge of pan, pressing gently into crust to secure.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 45 to 50 min. or until center is almost set. Run small knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 sec. Cool slightly. Pour over cheesecake; top with nuts.

CHOCOLATE-TOPPED PRALINES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and have a tablespoon-sized cookie scooper ready.
• Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, butter and baking soda to a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon occasionally, until the sugars are dissolved and the mixture begins to boil. Clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pot and continue to cook until the mixture reaches between 235 to 240 degrees F. Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes. Add the pecans, vanilla and salt and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the candy begins to dull and the mixture starts to thicken, about 4 minutes. Working quickly, drop heaping tablespoon-sized mounds with the cookie scooper onto the prepared baking sheet (see Cook's Note). Cool completely until set and the pralines have reached room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Add the chocolate chips to a heat-resistant metal or glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water and stir until completely melted. Remove bowl from the heat. Using a spoon, add a dollop of chocolate on the top of each of the praline mounds and use the back of the spoon to spread slightly and create a swirl in the chocolate. Sprinkle with the flaked sea salt, if using. Let cool completely until set (see Cook's Note). Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator with wax paper between the layers of pralines.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-by-9-inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs, granulated sugar and melted butter and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and make the filling.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, then add the brown sugar and flour. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Fold in the chopped pecans.
• Pour the batter into the crust and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F and bake until slightly browned on top, an additional 50 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into 9 bars before serving.

CHOCOLATE PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Mix chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter and pat onto the bottom of a 10 inch springform pan; set aside.
• Place unwrapped caramels and evaporated milk in a small microwaveable bowl and microwave at 50 percent power until melted or melt over simmering water on the stovetop.
• Periodically stir until the caramels melt and blend with the milk.
• When mixture begins to look like thick caramel and the milk is incorporated into the melted caramel, remove from heat.
• Pour caramel on top of the reserved crust and immediately sprinkle with the toasted pecan pieces.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth.
• Add sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl after each addition.
• Add chocolate to mixture; blend until incorporated.
• Pour mixture on top of caramel-pecan filling.
• Set springform pan on an 18 inch square of heavy-duty aluminum foil;crimp foil sides up to prevent any moisture from seeping into crust.
• Place pan in a hot water bath- I use the broiler pan from my oven, place the springform pan in it and fill with hot water to the depth of the filling-and bake for 45 minutes, or until cheesecake is set in the center.
• Cool cheesecake to room temperature, about 2 hours, before refrigerating.
• Do not remove from springform pan until completely chilled, at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
• Loosen cheesecake from sides of pan with a sharp knife, remove from pan sides, and slice with a sharp knife, dipping blade in warm water and wiping it off between slices.
• Garnish each slice with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream and a strawberry.
• You can also get really fancy and drizzle some chocolate sauce over the serving plates before setting the piece of cheesecake on the plate!

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the chocolate chip cookie dough: In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together until creamy, about 5 minutes. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Press half of the cookie dough mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Transfer the remaining cookie dough to another bowl, cover, and refrigerate while you make the filling. Rinse the mixing bowl and paddle attachment for reuse.
• For the cheesecake filling: In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and fluffy, 5 minutes. Add the egg, sour cream, cornstarch and vanilla, and mix until combined.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chocolate chip layer in the baking pan. In pieces, scatter the remaining cookie dough over the top until the surface is almost covered¿this will become a crust when baked
• Bake until set and starting to turn golden brown on top, 45 minutes¿if it jiggles, bake longer. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Cut into squares for serving.

MINI CHOCOLATE-PECAN-CARAMEL CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 24-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add the butter and sugar, then pulse until well combined. Distribute the crumbs among the prepared cups, about 2 tablespoons in each, and press to firm them up.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Mix in the sugar and eggs. Add the vanilla and 3 tablespoons of the salted caramel and mix again. Distribute the batter among the muffin cups, about 3 tablespoons per cup. Tap the tin on the counter to distribute the batter evenly.
• Bake, watching to make sure they don't burn, until set in the middle, 15 to 17 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, then chill for 2 hours.
• For the ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl and set aside. Heat the cream in a saucepan until warm and bubbles begin to form around the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour over the chocolate and allow to sit for 2 minutes. Mix until smooth, then set aside to cool slightly.
• Place about 1 tablespoon ganache on top of each cheesecake. Sprinkle the top with the pecan pieces and mini chocolate chips. Drizzle with the remaining 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon caramel and freeze, uncovered, for 1 hour. Transfer to an airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Allow to thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Spray a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place all but 6 of the chocolate cookies in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse the cookies in the food processor until finely ground.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground cookies and melted butter and mix to combine. Spread the crushed cookie mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan, using the bottom of a metal measuring cup to press into an even layer. Freeze for 30 minutes.
• In a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until softened, about 1 minute. Add the chocolate hazelnut spread and confectioners' sugar and mix on medium-high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping using a rubber spatula. Transfer to the springform pan. Use a spatula to smooth the mixture in the pan. Top with the chopped hazelnuts. Break 3 of the reserved cookies and press them into the center of the cake, cut-side down, in a starburst shape. Break the remaining cookies into chunks and sprinkle them over the cake. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours or up to overnight. Unclasp and remove the side of the pan, then cut the cake with a knife dipped in hot water and serve.

CARAMEL PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• ----------Crust----------.
• In food processor/blender, combine graham crackers& pecans, cover& process until fine& crumbly.
• Stir in butter.
• Press in bottom of ungreased 10 in.
• springform pan.
• Chill 30 minutes.
• -------Filling-------------.
• In a bixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
• Beat in flour.
• Add eggs, on low just till combined.
• Stir in sour cream, milk& vanilla.
• Pour into crust.
• Bake 325 degrees for 75-80 min til center is almost set.
• Cool 10 min.
• Carefully run knife around edge to loosen; cool 1 1/2 hours.
• Chill.
• ----------Topping----------.
• Heat 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat, without stirring until melted and golden brown.
• Reduce heat to low; gradually add cream and remaining sugar (melted sugar will harden).
• Cook and stir until sugar is completely melted.
• Continue cooking, without stirring, over medium heat until a candy thermometer reaches 225 degrees.
• Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla, add nuts.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Spread topping evenly over cheesecake (do not scrape sides of pan).
• Chill overnight.
• Remove sides of pan before serving.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• NOTES: NOTE FOR CHEESECAKE& TOPPING, DO NOT USE FAT FREE OR LIGHT INGREDIENTS!
• Do not substitute.
• Use real butter.

PRALINE-CRUSTED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cheesecake: Combine cookie crumbs and butter.
• Press into bottom and up sides of a greased 10-inch springform pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for approx 8 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Sprinkle coarsely crumbled pralines over crust.
• Beat cream cheese at medium speed with a heavy duty electric mixer until creamy.
• Gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
• Add eggs and egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
• Stir in whipping cream and lemon rind.
• Pour in crust.
• Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees on lower oven rack 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees, and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until almost set.
• Cool on wire rack 1 hour.
• Stir together sour cream and 1/3 cup sugar; spread over cheesecake.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Cool on wire rack.
• Cover and chill 8 hours.
• Remove sides of pan.
• Garnish, if desired with pralines.
• Pralines: Butter bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan.
• Cook brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugars dissolve; stir in pecans.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 238 degrees (soft ball stage).
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla; let stand 3 minutes.
• Beat with a wooden spoon 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
• Working rapidly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper.
• Let stand until firm.

CARAMEL PRALINE-TOPPED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Mix crushed wafers and sugar; stir in melted butter. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Arrange vanilla wafers around sides of pan, rounded sides out, pressing gently into crust., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour over crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake until center is almost set, 55-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled., Remove rim from pan. In a microwave, melt caramels with milk; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cheesecake; sprinkle with pecans. Freeze option: Wrap individual portions of cheesecake in plastic wrap and place in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Seal bag and freeze. To use, thaw in the refrigerator.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Combine crust ingredients in a small bowl.
• Press mixture into a 9- or 10- inch springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.
• When crust is done, remove from oven and set aside.
• Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, evaporated milk, flour, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl; beat well.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Pour filling mixture into baked crust.
• Bake at 325 degrees F for 50 minutes (center of cheesecake should still be slightly wobbly).
• Cool cheesecake completely (using whatever preferred method; everyone has their own).
• Before serving, paint the top with maple syrup and arrange whole pecans in a decorative pattern on top (I usually do it in such a way as to have one pecan per slice).
• Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To make the biscuit base, crush the digestive biscuits with a rolling pin or blitz in a food processor, then tip into a bowl with the sugar and butter and stir to combine. Butter and line an 18cm springform tin and tip in the biscuit mixture, pushing it down with the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins.
• To make the cheesecake, melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, then leave to cool slightly. Whip the cream in a large bowl using an electric whisk until soft peaks form, then fold in the cocoa powder. Beat the cream cheese and sugar together, then fold in the cream mixture and the cooled chocolate.
• Spoon the cheesecake mixture over the biscuit base, levelling it out with the back of a spoon. Transfer to the freezer and freeze for 2 hrs, or until set. Remove from the tin and leave at room temperature to soften for about 20 mins before serving.