Dark Chocolate Cheesecakewith Walnut Crust Variation For Low Ca Food

DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray to coat the bottom and sides.
• Add the graham crackers to a resealable plastic bag. Using your hands or a rolling pin, crush the graham crackers into crumbs. Transfer them to a mixing bowl and add the melted butter. Fold and press together with a spatula until a loose, crumbly mixture is made. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and press to create an even base for the cheesecake. Chill the crust in the fridge while you make the filling to set the base.
• For the filling: Add the chocolate to a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring with a spatula, until the chocolate is melted and completely smooth. Set aside.
• Mix the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa powder in a food processor until smooth. Remove the lid and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla, salt and egg and process until completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides once more. Turn the machine back on and while the machine is running, drizzle in the melted chocolate and allow it to completely incorporate into the mixture.
• Pour the chocolate filling over the prepared crust and smooth out the top with a spatula. Transfer the cheesecake to the center rack and bake until the filling is no longer soupy but still slightly jiggly, about 32 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door just a hair. Allow the cheesecake to sit in the warm oven for 15 more minutes with the door ajar.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a cooling rack and let cool for 30 minutes.
• Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan to help free the cheesecake, but keep it in the pan. The cheesecake will continue to shrink while it cools and this step makes it easier to separate the cheesecake when you are ready to serve it.
• For the topping: Pour the cherry pie filling onto the cooled cheesecake and smooth into an even layer, leaving a bit uncovered around the edges. Cover the springform pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• When you are ready to eat, remove the cheesecake from the fridge and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve.

DEEPEST DARKEST CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch-diameter springform pan with cooking spray.
• For the crust: In a food processor, grind the cookies until finely ground. Blend in the sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and process until well blended; it should be the consistency of wet sand. Press the crumbs evenly onto the bottom (not the sides) of the prepared pan. (Or just place the cookie crumb-sugar mixture in the pan, pour the melted butter in and combine.) Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake just until set, about 7 minutes. Allow it to cool while preparing the filling.
• For the filling: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute until the chocolate is completely melted. In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together, smoothing out any lumps of cocoa powder. In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, and then add the sugar-cocoa powder mixture. Add the orange zest, prepared coffee or espresso powder at this time, if using. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides and bottom with a rubber scraper when necessary. Blend in the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the lukewarm chocolate and stir until combined.
• Pour the filling over the cooled crust, tap the pan on the table top to remove any air pockets, and then smooth the top to even out. Bake until the center is just set (jiggles like set gelatin) and looks just dry, about 1 hour 10 minutes, rotating halfway. Cool 5 minutes. Run a knife around sides of the cake to loosen, but do not remove from the springform pan. Chill the cake in the refrigerator overnight.
• For the glaze: Stir the heavy cream, chopped chocolate, honey and prepared coffee in a heavy, medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over the center of the cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2-inch of the cheesecake's edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a platter and release from the springform pan. Serve cold, or allow to come to room temperature, about 2 hours.

VANILLA BEAN CHEESECAKE WITH WALNUT CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 10-inch springform pan.
• In a food processor or blender, pulse walnuts with 1/4 cup of the sugar until finely ground. Add butter and pulse until the mixture looks like moist sand. Press crumbs into bottom of pan. Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges.
• In a small mixing bowl, mix sour cream with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract. Cover and set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300°.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle or using a handheld electric mixer, beat cream cheese on low speed with the remaining sugar and the vanilla seeds until JUST combined. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add remaining vanilla extract and the almond extract. Slowly mix in cream until smooth. Pour batter into pan and bake for 65 minutes or until lightly golden and slightly jiggly in the center.
• Immediately pour the sour cream topping over the cheesecake and smooth the surface with back of spoon or spatula.
• Return to oven and bake an additional 5 minutes.
• Place on wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
• Run a thin sharp knife around cake and remove the ring.
• Refrigerate for 3 hours. Remove cheesecake and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Return to refrigerator and leave overnight before serving.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE(WITH WALNUT CRUST VARIATION FOR LOW CA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Microwave 1 1/4 cups chunks in small, uncovered microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 minute; stir until just smooth.
• If necessary, microwave an additional 10-15 second intervals.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Combine crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter in 9-inch springform pan. Stir until blended.
• Press on bottom and 1 inch up side of pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, sour cream and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in melted chocolate until blended and pour onto crust.
• Place pan in large roasting pan; fill roasting pan with hot water to 1-inch depth.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until edges are set but center still moves slightly.
• Remove cheesecake from water bath to wire rack.
• Run knife around edge of cheesecake.
• Cool for 30 minutes.
• Refrigerate 1 hour; remove side of pan.
• Microwave 1/2 cup chocolate chunks and whipping cream on high for 1 to 2 minutes; stir until just smooth.
• Cool for 5 minutes, then spread over cheesecake.
• Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• "I do have a hint for the springform pan - cover the insert bottom with foil then assemble the pan. I find this prevents leaks in and out. Makes a very secure seal." -Lee.
• VARIATION CRUST:.
• 1 1/2 cup walnut pieces.
• 1/4 cup sugar.
• 4 Tbs. butter, melted.
• Process walnuts with sugar then process that with the metlted butter until it looks like sand.
• Continue as above.

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.