Chocolate Crunch Cheesecake Parfait Food

EASY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons heavy cream and 5 tablespoons sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and the lemon juice and zest. Beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the remaining 1 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the sour cream in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer (or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment) on high speed until soft peaks form.
• Add a layer of crushed graham crackers to the bottom of each parfait glass. Top the graham crackers with a layer of the cheesecake, then a layer of fruit (see Cook's Note). Top each parfait with a dollop of the whipped cream and serve.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUNCH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter, and use fingers to mix well. Press firmly into prepared pan, evenly covering the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
• In a microwave or the top of a double boiler, heat sour cream and chocolate together just until chocolate is melted. Mix until smooth.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and fluffy, at least 2 minutes. Mix in eggs one at a time. At low speed, gradually pour in chocolate mixture and mix until smooth.
• Pour filling over the crust in the pan and bake about 1 1/2 hours, until top is set and dry but still jiggles in the center when you shake the pan.
• Set aside to cool and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 days.
• For garnish, place graham crackers in a thick sealable plastic bag and crush, using your hands or a pot, into irregular crumbs. In a small skillet, melt butter until it foams. Add crumbs and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted and fragrant.
• When ready to serve, gently remove sides of springform pan. Serve chilled cheesecake in slices, sprinkled with crumbs and drizzled with chocolate ganache (if using).

PATRIOTIC CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat the Neufchatel, yogurt and sour cream with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Stir in the confectioners' sugar and beat again until smooth.
• Combine the crumbled cookies and cereals together in a small bowl.
• Build the parfaits: Place a small spoonful of the cheesecake mixture in the bottom of each of 4 parfait glasses or wine goblets. Add a layer of fruit, followed by a second layer of the cheesecake mixture; top with a layer of the crumbs. Repeat. Arrange a final layer of berries on top, place a decorative dollop of the last of the cheesecake mixture and sprinkle with the crumbs.

CHOCOLATE-CRUNCH CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix together the crumbs and butter.
• Press over bottom and partially up side of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Note: For a crust with an even thickness, use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press crumbs down into the pie plate.
• Refrigerate while making filling.
• Beat cream cheese 1 minute.
• Add 1 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch; beat for 3 minutes.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Add sour cream, liqueur and vanilla; beat until smooth.
• Fold in chopped candy bar.
• Pour into crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes, until just set.
• Run a knife around edge of cake to separate from pan.
• Cool in pan on rack.
• Cover; refrigerate overnight.
• Remove side of pan.
• Whip cream and 1 T sugar to stiff peaks.
• Spread onto cake; garnish with candy bar, if desired.

PAIN AU CHOCOLAT (CHOCOLATE-FILLED CROISSANT)

Steps:

• Pour the water into a bread machine pan; add the flour. Sprinkle the milk powder over the flour. Place the sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of softened butter into the corners of the pan. Make a small indent in the top of the dry ingredients and put the yeast in the indent. Run the bread machine on the basic dough setting.
• Meanwhile, lay out a sheet of waxed or parchment paper. Shape the remaining 1/2 cup of butter into a 3x5 inch rectangle on the waxed paper; wrap and chill until ready to use.
• Remove the butter from the refrigerator and allow to soften while you roll out the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a 8x12 inch rectangle. Place the butter on half of the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border of dough on 3 sides. Fold the other half of the dough over the butter and press the edges firmly to seal.
• Roll the dough out to a 6x14 inch rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds from the long ends, as you would fold a business letter. Cover the dough loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Place it onto a lightly floured surface so that the folded edge faces you. Roll the dough out again into a 6x14 inch rectangle, and fold into thirds. Cover with plastic and chill for 20 minutes.
• Repeat step 5, chilling for 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolk and milk; set aside. Grease two baking sheets.
• Roll the dough out into a 12x21 inch rectangle. Cut the dough into thirds in both directions, to make 9 rectangles. Divide the chocolate among the rectangles. Lightly brush the egg yolk mixture around the edges of each piece. Starting at a short end, roll each piece of dough around the chocolate as if you were rolling a cigar. Press the edges together to seal.
• Place the pastries onto the prepared baking sheets; cover with greased plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until they have doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Brush the top of the pastries with the remaining egg yolk mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer pastries to wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.

EASY BERRY CHEESECAKE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme until blended; fold in whipped topping., Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cracker crumbs into each of 2 glasses or dessert dishes. Layer each with 1/2 cup cream cheese mixture, 1/4 cup raspberries and 1/4 cup blueberries; repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.