Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Minis Food

HOT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 325 degrees F. Butter the inside of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add the butter, hot chocolate mix and salt, and pulse until the mixture comes together and holds its shape when squeezed. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, and press it into the bottom to make an even layer. Bake until the crust is just firm, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Place the pan on a large piece of foil, and fold the foil up the sides of the pan. (This helps seal the pan, to keep water out while baking.)
• For the filling: Wipe out the food processor. Pulse the cream cheese, sugar, hot chocolate mix and sour cream until completely smooth, without any lumps, scraping down the side of the bowl a few times. Add the eggs and vanilla, and pulse until incorporated. Pour the filling into the crust, and set the pan inside a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with enough hot water to go halfway up the side of the springform pan (but not above the foil).
• Bake the cheesecake until the edge is set but the center jiggles slightly (when you gently shake the pan, the cheesecake should move in a cohesive wave motion), 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off, and open the door for a few seconds to let out some heat. Close the door, and let the cheesecake sit in the oven until cooked completely through, 1 hour more.
• Transfer the springform pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge, and let the cheesecake cool to room temperature. Wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
• Before serving, cut the marshmallows on the diagonal, and arrange them, cut-side down, in a neat line all over the top edge of the cheesecake.

HOT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Make and bake 36 cookies as directed on pouch. Cool completely, at least 30 minutes. Store 16 cookies in airtight container for another use.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil to prevent leaking. Spray inside of pan with cooking spray.
• In food processor, process half of the remaining 20 cookies to fine crumbs. Remove to medium bowl. Process second half of remaining cookies to fine crumbs; add to bowl. Stir in cocoa and 1/4 cup melted butter until well blended. Press very firmly on bottom and 1/2 inch up side of pan. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until set in center.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate. Beat in eggs one at a time, just until blended. Beat in vanilla. Pour into crust.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan and center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan. Refrigerate uncovered at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
• When ready to serve, discard foil and remove side of pan. If needed, run metal spatula along side of cheesecake to loosen before removing pan. In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream until soft peaks form; add marshmallow creme, and beat until blended and smooth. Fit decorating bag with 1/2-inch round piping tip; fill with cream mixture. Starting on outer edge of cheesecake, and using constant pressure on bag, pipe clockwise, working toward center and ending in a tall peak (use photo as guide). Decorate as desired. Store covered in refrigerator.