Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake 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.

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides.
• Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar.
• Add melted butter and process until well blended.
• Press crumbs evenly onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan.
• Bake just until set, about 5 minutes.
• Cool while preparing filling.
• Maintain oven temperature.
• For filling:.
• Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth.
• Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable.
• Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth.
• Blend in eggs 1 at a time.
• Mix in lukewarm chocolate.
• Pour filling over crust; smooth top.
• Bake until center is just set and just appears dry, about 1 hour.
• Cool 5 minutes.
• Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.
• For topping:.
• Stir cream, 6 ounces chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth.
• Cool slightly.
• Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge and filling any cracks.
• Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour.
• Do ahead: Can be made 3 days ahead.
• Cover with foil and keep refrigerated.
• Release pan sides.
• Transfer cheesecake to platter.
• Top with chocolate curls.
• Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.
• ***Cook time does not include chilling overnight and the 2 hours cheesecake needs to sit at room temperature before serving.

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.

WHITE AND DARK CHOCOLATE SPIRAL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
• To make the base:.
• Mix the cookie crumbs with the melted butter and pat into the bottom of a 26 cm diameter springform pan.
• Place in the oven to "set" for about 7 minutes.
• Remove and set aside to cool.
• To make the filling base:.
• Beat all the ingredients together until well blended.
• Pour half into a large, 4 cup measure cup, pour the other half into another 4 cup measuring cup. Alternatively, you can use jugs, pitchers, whatever is available, as long as it has a handle and a spout.
• Melt the white chocolate chips together with the cream and stir to blend.
• Add the cornflour and stir again.
• Add this mixture into one of the cheese filling jugs. Stir to blend.
• Melt the dark chocolate chips together with the cream and stir to blend.
• Add this mixture into the other of the cheese filling jugs. Stir to blend.
• Okay, here comes the fun part --
• Carefully pour a portion of the white chocolate filling into the middle of the crust.
• Now carefully (I mean CAREFULLY) pour a portion of the dark chocolate filling into the middle of the white filling.
• Now CAREFULLY pour some of the white chocolate filling into the dark chocolate filling.
• Now CAREFULLY pour some of the dark chocolate filling -- okay you get the picture?.
• Keep this up until you have a series of concentric circles. Again, I cannot mention it enough, do this carefully so you don't mess up the circles.
• Very carefully transfer this to the oven.
• Bake at 200 degrees C for 10 minutes.
• Turn the oven down to 120 degrees C and bake for a further 60 minutes.
• Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake hang out in the cooling oven for another 2 hours.
• Transfer to the refrigerator and let it hang out there for another 24 hours.
• When you cut slices you will have the most gorgeous white and dark "zebra-ed" portions.