Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Food

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE-PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, & coat an 8 inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Set out a roasting pan larger than the springform pan.
• FOR THE CRUST, put the crumbs in a small bowl, & stir in butter until evenly moistened.
• Press firmly over the bottom of the pan.
• Bake 8-10 minutes until set, then cool on a wire rack.
• Wrap the outside of the pan with heavy-duty foil.
• Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• At this point, set 4-6 quarts of water on to boil [to be added to the roasting pan in which the springform pan will be placed ~ to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan].
• FOR THE FILLING, put the cream cheese, sugar & cornstarch in a large bowl, & beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, scraping sides of the bowl several times with a rubber spatula.
• Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, just until blended.
• Beat in sour cream & vanilla to combine, then divide the batter evenly between 3 medium bowls.
• Stir melted milk chocolate into the 1st bowl of batter, & pour this chocolate mixture into the crust in an even layer.
• Whisk pumpkin & pumpkin pie spice into the 2nd bowl of batter, then carefully spoon this mixture over the chocolate layer to cover, then gently smooth into an even layer with an offset spatula [do not let the two layers of batter run together].
• Stir semisweet chocolate into the 3rd bowl of batter, then carefully spoon it over the pumpkin layer, spreading carefully & evenly as indicated above.
• Set the springform pan in the center of the roasting pan, then place the roasting pan in the oven.
• Add boiling water, enough to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours until set [to a point where the center still jiggles slightly when gently shaken ].
• Turn off the oven & leave the door closed, letting the cake cool in the oven for 1 hour. [If the cake hasn't pulled away from the sides of the pan, carefully run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake.]
• Remove the foil & cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
• Cover & refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• FOR THE CHOCOLATE GLAZE: In a small saucepan, stir the glaze ingredients over low heat until chocolate melts & mixture is smooth.
• Remove from heat, & cool slightly.
• Remove pan sides & place cake on a serving plate.
• Spread the glaze over the top, just to the edge. [You might even want some to drip down the side of the cake.].
• Refrigerate until glaze sets.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees F; place cookies, walnuts, sugar and chocolate in processor; process until finely chopped; add butter and process until moist crumbs form; transfer crumbs to a 10 inch springform pan; Press on bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan; set on cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes; transfer to rack and cool; maintain oven temperature.
• For filling: Melt unsweetened chocolate, stir until smooth; cool slightly; beat cream cheese with ½ cup sugar in large bowl until fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating until just incorporated; transfer 2 ½ cups plain batter to a medium-sized bowl and set aside; add brown sugar to batter remaining in large bowl and beat until combined; mix corn syrup, then melted chocolate into this batter; pour 2/3 cup of this batter into a small bowl and set aside; pour remainder of batter in big bowl into crust; set on cookie sheet and bake until filling is barely set, about 15 minutes; cool 5 minutes; scald cream with orange and lemon zests in small saucepan; remove from heat; add white chocolate and stir until melted and smooth; cool slightly; pour white chocolate mixture to reserved 2 ½ cups batter in medium bowl and stir; mix in liqueur; starting at outside edge, carefully spoon white batter over chocolate layer; set on cookie sheet and bake until sides are puffed and center moves only slightly when shaken, 35-40 minutes; cool 5 minutes; spoon reserved chocolate batter in the small bowl by tablespoonfuls into the center of white chocolate layer; using back of spoon, spread evenly to within ½ inch of cake edge; set on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes; transfer to rack to cool; using small, sharp knife, cur around edge of pan sides to loosen; cool cheesecake completely in pan; ccover and refrigerate when completely cooled (prepare 2 days before you plan to serve this).
• For dark and white chocolate leaves: Line 2 cookie sheets with foil; place semisweet chocolate and ½ tsp Crisco in small bowl; melt; using small metal (offset works best) spatula or back of spoon, spread thin layer of chocolate over veined underside of 6 leaves, being careful not to drip any chocolate onto other side of leaf; [lace on 1 cookie sheet; chill until set, about 5 minutes; spread second, thin layer of chocolate on each leaf, remelting chocolate if necessary; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Do the same with white chocolate.
• Starting at stem end, gently peel leaves off, leaving only chocolate imprint (can be prepared 1 day ahead; refrigerate in single layers in container).
• To make orange threads: Using vegetable peeler, remove orange peel in large strips; cut strips into fine, long julienne; blanch 30 seconds; drain well; dry thoroughly on paper towels (can be prepared 1 day ahead).
• To make whipped cream topping: Beat cream and sugar until soft peaks form; add liqueur and beat until stiff peaks form.
• To assemble this masterpiece: Release sides of pan from cheesecake; spoon whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with large star tip; pipe decorative border around edge of cake; set alternating white and dark chocolate leaves at a slight angle (with 1 edge barely inserted into cream) atop cream border and into dark part of cake; arrange orange threads decoratively on cake, curling them by giving them a couple of twists.
• Be brave enough to actually cut into this beauty cause it tastes delicious as well as being so gorgeous!

CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Wrap the outside of a springform pan with aluminum foil.
• Combine graham crackers, cocoa powder, 1 cup sugar, and butter in a food processor and pulse to fine consistency. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and toasted, about 15 minutes.
• Remove crust from oven and spread chocolate chips in a single layer over the crust bottom, leaving 1/2-inch rim at edges; cool to room temperature.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, scraping sides frequently to ensure evenness and no lumps. Beat in 1 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and maple extract; add pumpkin puree and beat to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated and scraping the bowl each time. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt; beat once more until well distributed.
• Pour filling over cooled crust. Place pie pan in a baking dish and gently pour boiling water into the baking dish to come half-way up sides of the springform pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until edges are puffed and surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 55 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature in the oven with the door open, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.