Chocolate Cheesecake Triangles Food

CHOCOLATE-FILLED FILO TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Break up 4 ounces of chocolate into 1/2-ounce pieces. Set aside.
• In a food processor, finely grind the remaining chocolate with the sugar.
• Lay 8 sheets of filo out on top of each other.
• Place one sheet lengthwise on the work surface. Keep the remaining sheets covered with a damp towel.
• Brush the sheet with some melted butter. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture. Place a second sheet over the sugared sheet. Butter the second sheet and sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Add 2 more sheets, buttering and sprinkling between each.Cut the filo horizontally into 4 even strips. Starting at the left side of one of the strips, place a 1/2-ounce piece of chocolate 2 inches from the end. Fold the filo that is to the left of the piece of chocolate over the chocolate toward the back side of the strip, making a 3-inch triangle. The left end of the filo should be even with the back edge. Fold the piece of chocolate to the right, over itself, retaining the triangular shape. Fold the chocolate piece toward the front edge of the strip. Continue wrapping the chocolate, alternating the direction with each fold, until you get to the end. (It is like folding a flag.) Wrap the other strips in the same manner.
• With the remaining sheets, make 4 more chocolate-filled triangles.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the triangles on the baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Serve warm.

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.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHEESECAKE TREES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Line 8-inch pan with heavy-duty foil so foil extends over sides of pan. In small bowl, mix wafer crumbs and butter. Press in bottom of foil-lined pan.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in sour cream, vanilla and eggs. Pour over crust.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until edges are set (center will be soft but will set when cool). Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Cover; freeze 2 hours. Meanwhile, cover 1 large cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Remove cheesecake from pan by lifting foil. Cut lengthwise into four long pieces. Cut each piece into 7 triangles, working with 1 long piece at a time (keep corner pieces for snacking). Insert sticks into bottoms of triangles. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze 30 minutes. If making ahead, cover and freeze until ready to coat with chocolate.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips and shortening over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Place in medium bowl.
• Working in 2 batches of 14 (keep remaining in freezer until ready to coat), dip each tree quickly into melted chocolate to coat, letting excess drip off. Use knife or spatula to spread chocolate around stick entrance. Place crust side down on waxed paper.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave candy coating and oil uncovered on High 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted. Stir in food color. Spoon into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Seal bag; cut tiny hole in corner of bag. Pipe melted coating over trees to look like garland. Store covered in freezer.

VANILLA NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE WITH A CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• Grease a 9" springform pan with cooking spray or softened butter. Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
• To make the crust, process the cookies, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor until the cookies are finely ground. Pour in the butter and vanilla and process until the mixture holds together when squeezed. Alternatively, you may place the dry ingredients in a sealed resealable plastic bag, cover it with a tea towel, and crush the crackers with a rolling pin. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl and stir in the melted butter and vanilla. Scrape the crust mixture into the prepared pan and firmly press it into the bottom and 1" up the sides, using your fingers. Place the crust in the freezer while you make the filling.
• To make the filling, briefly beat the cream cheese on medium-low speed in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, just until smooth, scraping the bowl with a flexible spatula as needed. Beat in the sweetened condensed milk and salt just until combined, and then the lemon juice and vanilla. Turn off the mixer as soon as all the ingredients are incorporated. Do not overmix or the cream cheese will lose structure. Scrape the filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the top with an offset spatula or butter knife. Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 5 hours, but preferably overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove the sides of the pan and, if you would like to remove the base (though you don't have to), slide a long, serrated knife between the crust and the parchment paper and transfer the cake to a serving plate. Slice the cake with a large chef's knife that's been dipped in hot water and dried in between slices. Serve with a dusting of cocoa powder (if using). Keep the cake, wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.