Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Trees Food

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHEESECAKE SQUARES

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. square baking pan with foil and grease the foil. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, pecans and butter. Press into prepared pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Freeze overnight., In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. , Using foil, lift cheesecake out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut cheesecake into 1-1/4-in. squares. Work with a few pieces at a time for dipping; keep remaining squares refrigerated until ready to dip., Using a toothpick, completely dip squares, 1 at a time, into melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Spoon additional chocolate over the tops if necessary to coat. (Reheat chocolate if needed to finish dipping.) Let stand for 20 minutes or until set. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside. Cut a 10-inch-by-5 1/2-inch strip of parchment.
• Prepare and bake the cake batter in the prepared pan according to the package directions for a 9-inch pan. Let cool completely on a rack, about 1 hour. Open the pan clasp, loosen the collar and slip in the parchment strip so it encircles the cake; it will come up about 2 inches higher than the edge. Close the clasp.
• Meanwhile, chop enough strawberries to make 2 cups. Toss with the sugar in a medium bowl and let sit until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the strawberries and sugar to a pulp (the mixture should be mostly smooth with a few chunks).
• Beat the cream cheese and 2 cups cream in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and stiff peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Bring 1/2 cup cream to a boil in a small saucepan then whisk in the gelatin, stirring continuously, until dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Fold the cream-gelatin mixture into the strawberry mixture until combined. Fold the cream cheese mixture into the strawberry-gelatin mixture until combined. Pour on top of the cake and smooth out the top with an offset spatula. Chill until set, 2 hours and up to overnight.
• For the ganache: Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring the butter and the remaining 1 cup heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until melted and smooth.
• Dip each of the remaining strawberries into the chocolate halfway, twisting to let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet and let harden, about 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining chocolate.
• Open the pan clasp and remove the collar and parchment. Transfer the cake to a serving platter or cake stand. Reheat the reserved ganache in the microwave until it is pourable. Pour the ganache around the edge of the cake, smoothing it with an offset spatula and letting some drip down the sides. Place the chocolate-covered strawberries around the rim with the stems facing inward. Let stand until hardened, about 15 minutes.

CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESECAKE POPS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the cheesecake into 8 even wedges. Firmly insert a wooden ice pop stick into the short side of each cheesecake slice, about 2 1/2 inches deep. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and freeze until solid, at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
• Line a second baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Add the green candy melting wafers and coconut oil to a tall wide-mouth microwave-safe container. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until the melting wafers and coconut oil are melted and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute 30 seconds.
• To make a plain tree: Dip a frozen cheesecake slice in the candy melts to fully coat. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with green sprinkles. Dip the bottom of a gold star dragee in the candy melts and press on the top of the tree.
• To make a tree with rainbow lights: Follow the directions above for a plain tree, quickly sprinkling a few a few rainbow nonpareils over the green sprinkles. Add a gold star as above.
• To make a tree with white lights: Follow the directions above for a plain tree, quickly sprinkling a few silver nonpareils over the green sprinkles. Add a gold star as above. Attach a small round piping tip to the tube of white decorating icing and pipe a garland on the tree.
• To make a tree with snow: Follow the directions above for a plain tree, quickly sprinkling a few white nonpareils over the green sprinkles. Add a gold star as above.
• Freeze the pops until ready to serve. Use a sharp knife to trim any frozen candy melt drips from the sides of the pops. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving, or serve frozen.

LIGHTENED-UP CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• 1. Position the racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven. Put a small roasting pan on the lower rack and fill about 1/3 full of water. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and wrap the outside bottom of the pan with aluminum foil to prevent any leaks.
• 2. Crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, water, and melted butter in a medium bowl until moistened. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes, while preparing the filling.
• 3. Filling: Put the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium power until soft and melted, about 1 minute, depending on the power of your oven. Stir until smooth. Puree the cottage cheese in the bowl of a food processor until smooth. Add the cream cheese, sugar, cocoa, and flour and continue to puree, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until smooth. Add the egg, egg whites, espresso, and vanilla and puree until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and pulse until just combined. Pour over the prepared crust.
• 4. Put the pan on the upper rack in the oven and bake until just set and the center jiggles slightly, about 50 to 55 minutes. Turn off the oven and let stand in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the cheesecake to a cooling rack and run a knife around the edge of the pan.
• 5. Let stand at room temperature until cooled, about 2 hours, and then refrigerate until well chilled, 8 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour before serving. For easier serving, slice with a clean hot knife, wiped clean after each slice. Serve each slice with a few fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED WHITE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and butter; press into the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, cream and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted vanilla chips. Pour into crust. Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 16 in. x 16 in.). Securely wrap foil around pan., Place springform pan in a larger baking pan. Add 1 in. hot water to larger pan. Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., For glaze, place chocolate chips in a large bowl; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, bring the cream, butter and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Pour over chocolate chips. Cool for 3 minutes. Stir until smooth and cool. , Remove sides of pan. Spread glaze over the top and sides of cheesecake. Refrigerate for 2 hours. , Drizzle melted vanilla chips over cheesecake. Garnish with kisses and raspberries if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHEESECAKE BITES RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a plastic bag, crush the graham crackers finely with the back of a large pot or pan.
• In a large bowl, combine graham crackers, ¼ cup (30g) confectioners' sugar, salt, and melted butter, stirring until the mixture is the texture of wet sand.
• Dump the graham cracker mixture into a 9×9 inch (23 x 23 cm) baking dish lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture down with your hands to create an even layer.
• Freeze for 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 cup (160g) confectioner's sugar, and vanilla, stirring until smooth.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the graham cracker crust.
• Freeze for one hour.
• Transfer the frozen cheesecake onto a cutting board, peeling away the parchment paper. Slice ¹⁄₆₄ inch (1 cm) wide strips horizontally, then vertically, creating little cheesecake cubes.
• In a medium bowl, microwave the chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
• Dip the cheesecake cubes in the chocolate, dripping off excess, and set them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining cubes.
• Freeze for 15 minutes, then serve!
• Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHEESECAKE BITES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Line 8-inch square pan with heavy-duty foil so foil extends over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix crust ingredients. Press in bottom of sprayed foil-lined pan.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add remaining filling ingredients; beat until smooth. Pour filling over crust.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until edges are set. Center will be soft but will set when cool. Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until chilled. Freeze cheesecake about 2 hours or until firm.
• Remove cheesecake from pan by lifting foil. Cut into 48 pieces; remove from foil and place on sheet of waxed paper.
• In 1-quart saucepan, melt coating ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Cool 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly cooled. Place in 2-cup measuring cup.
• Spear each cheesecake bite with fork; dip in melted chocolate to cover bottom and sides, letting excess drip off. Place on waxed paper.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon melted chocolate over each bite, smoothing top with back of spoon. Let stand about 20 minutes or until firm. Store in refrigerator.