Individual Orange And Chocolate Cheesecakes Food

MINI CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham-cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Mix well.
• Place cupcake liners in a regular-sized muffin tin and spoon 1 tbsp. of crumb mixture into each liner and press down firmly.
• With an electric or stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sugar, and mix well. Add in the orange extract and eggs, and mix until just combined. Add the sour cream, and incorporate completely.
• Melt ¾ cup chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds. Stir well, and heat in 10-second increments until fully melted.
• Fold 1 cup of the cheesecake mixture into the melted chocolate, and mix completely.
• Spoon about 1 tbsp. of chocolate cheesecake mixture on top of the graham-cracker crust, and smooth over. Repeat with the rest of the crusts.
• Add the orange zest to the cheesecake mixture that is still in the bowl, and mix well. Spoon about 1 tbsp. of this mixture over the chocolate mixture, and smooth over.
• Bake for 30 minutes and let cool to room temperature on a cooling rack.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining ½ cup chocolate chips in a medium-sized bowl.In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat and bring to a simmer. (Don't boil!)
• Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 3 minutes before stirring, and then mix until completely smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecakes. Place cheesecakes in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 6- or 7-inch springform pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
• Put the cookies, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely crushed, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. (Any large, stubborn bits of cookie can be crushed with the back of a spoon.) You should have about 1 heaping cup of crumbs.
• Put the cookie crumbs in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until combined and all the crumbs are moistened. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, using the flat bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crumbs down in an even layer and up the sides about 1/2 inch (or a little higher if using a 6-inch pan).
• Bake until set, about 12 minutes. Let the crust cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling.
• For the filling: Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a large mug or other heatproof bowl. Microwave on high for 60 seconds. Remove from the microwave and use a small rubber spatula to stir in small circles until the mixture comes together and the chocolate chips are melted and smooth. Set aside.
• Add the cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (you may also use a large bowl and a handheld electric mixer or whisk). Beat on medium-low speed until combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Increase the speed to medium. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each until smooth and homogenous, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.
• Reduce the speed to medium low and add the flour, orange liqueur, vanilla and orange zest.
• With the mixer running, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Mix until smooth, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.
• Pour the filling into the pan and smooth the top. Bake until the sides of the cheesecake are set and the middle jiggles when shaken, about 40 minutes.
• Turn off the oven and open the door a few inches. Let the cheesecake remain in the warm oven with the door ajar for 30 minutes. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature until no longer warm, about 30 minutes. Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and let rest until completely chilled, about 2 hours, or until ready to serve.
• To unmold, run an offset spatula or butter knife around the edge of the pan. Carefully unlock the springform pan and remove the outer ring. Serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, chocolate sauce and some candied orange peel.
• The cheesecake should be stored in the refrigerator, covered, up to 3 days. The cheesecake may also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost the frozen cheesecake in the refrigerator prior to serving.
• Using a vegetable peeler, cut the orange peel into vertical, wide strips (save the inside of the orange for eating later!). Try to carefully shave off any of the bitter white pith with a paring knife. Cut the orange peel into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Put the orange peel in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 5 minutes then drain and rinse. Repeat this process a second time. This step removes any bitterness from the peel.
• Bring 1 cup of the sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer in the same small saucepan. Allow the sugar to dissolve, about 5 minutes. Add the blanched orange peels and simmer gently over low heat until the peels are softened and pith is translucent, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl. Remove the peels from the syrup and dredge in the sugar (cool and store the leftover orange simple syrup for another use!). Shake off any excess sugar and place the peels on a wire baking rack set in a baking sheet. Allow to sit and dry out, uncovered, for a day or so.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter muffin cups.
• Grind wafers to a fine powder in a food processor.
• Mix together wafer crumbs, 2 tablespoons butter, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl with a rubber spatula until combined well. Divide crumbs among muffin cups, then firmly press onto bottom and a little up side of each cup with your fingertips or with bottom of an 1/8-cup measure by twisting measure.
• Bake 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool in muffin pan 10 minutes. Gently rotate crusts with your fingertips to loosen and turn out onto rack.
• Beat together cream cheese, zest, and remaining brown sugar (3 tablespoons plus 1/3 teaspoon) with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy. Beat cream in another bowl with cleaned beaters until it just holds stiff peaks. Stir about one third of whipped cream into cream cheese mixture to lighten, then gently fold in remaining whipped cream until just combined.
• Mound filling into crusts with a spoon (or pipe filling into crusts with a pastry bag) and serve, or chill until ready to serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use a food processor or by hand, mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the butter pieces and mix until it resembles small pea size pieces. Add the yolk, vanilla, and zest, and mix until it forms a ball. Add the water to help dough come together. Form the dough into a disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Press the dough into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and set aside. For the filling, use a mixer with a paddle attachment. Cream the cheese with the sugar on low speed. Add the eggs 1 at a time until smooth making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and orange zest. Slowly pour in the melted white chocolate and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into the springform pan. Wrap aluminum foil around the base of pan and up side to protect from water bath. Place pan on sheet pan or pan with high sides and fill with 1/3 water. Bake cheesecake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool for 4 hours before serving.
• To make the compote, place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest in a saucepan and stir over low heat. Simmer until cranberries soften or pop. Cool mixture and add the orange segments.
• Serve cheesecake with compote and orange segments.

INDIVIDUAL ORANGE AND CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the crushed chocolate wafers and the melted butter. Place a tightly packed teaspoon of the wafer mixture into each mini-muffin cup and press down firmly.
• In a food processor combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the sugar, half of the orange zest, and the egg. Blend until smooth. Lightly grease the sides of the mini muffin tin with butter. Fill the cups with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture. Place the mini muffin tin in a baking dish and pour enough hot water in the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the mini muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes. Transfer the mini muffin tin to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Use a small knife to gently pop the cheesecakes out of the cups.
• Just before serving, combine the remaining orange zest with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Top each individual cheesecake with about 1/4 teaspoon of the orange zest mixture and serve.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE BAKED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the filling, take the soft cheese, eggs and double cream out of the fridge to come to room temperature 1 hr before you begin. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment: unclip the ring, lay the parchment over the base and clip the ring back. This will ensure there is no lip on the bottom of the finished cheesecake.
• Tip the gingernuts into a food processor and blitz to a fine crumb. Add the melted butter and orange zest, then blitz briefly until the crumbs are coated. Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and press into an even layer using the back of a spoon. Bake for 10-15 mins until the base is slightly crisped up.
• Beat the soft cheese and light brown sugar together until creamy using an electric whisk. Whisk in the whole eggs, the egg yolks and cream until smooth. Tip the dark chocolate into a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave in 20-second bursts, or do this in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water. Leave to cool until warm to the touch. Slowly pour the melted chocolate over the soft cheese mixture, whisking continuously until combined. Stir in the orange zest, reserving the oranges.
• Tightly wrap the bottom of the cake tin in foil to prevent leaking, then sit it in a deep roasting tin. Pour the cheesecake filling over the biscuit base. Put the roasting tin in the oven, then pour enough hot water into the roasting tin to come 2½cm up the side of the cake tin. Bake for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until the edge of the cheesecake is set, but the centre has a slight wobble (it will continue to set in the fridge).
• Put the cake tin on a wire rack, then run a small, sharp knife around the edge to loosen. Remove the foil and leave to cool completely in the tin, then chill for at least 6 hrs in the fridge before removing to a plate. Segment the reserved oranges, avoiding the pith, and use these to decorate the top along with a grating of dark chocolate and candied orange slices, if you like. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to three days.

MINI CHOC-ORANGE CHEESECAKE TARTS

Steps:

• Turn a metal muffin or bun tin upside down. Divide the cookie dough into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then press over each dome, shaping down the sides to make an upside-down tart case. Chill for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bake the tin and cookie dough for 12-15 mins until the tart cases are golden. While still warm, cut away any excess that has dripped down the sides, prying with a knife to remove. Cool on a wire rack.
• Whip the cream to soft peaks, then stir in the cream cheese and icing sugar. Drain the mandarins, reserving the juice. Add 4 tbsp of mandarin juice to the cream mixture and beat until smooth. Spoon into the cases and top with slices of mandarin. Chill until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Lightly grease and line a 20cm springform cake tin. To make the base, put the biscuits and butter in a food processor, pulse into fine crumbs, then tip into the tin. Spread evenly over the base and press down firmly with the back of a spoon. Put the tin in the freezer and leave to set for 30 mins.
• Put a large piece of foil (extra-wide foil if possible) on the work surface, or criss-cross two pieces of small foil. Place the cake tin in the centre of the foil and bring up the sides to create a foil bowl around the cheesecake. Place in a medium-sized roasting tin.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. To make the filling, put the eggs and egg yolks in a food processor and blitz until well combined. Add the cheese, cream, sugar, orange zest and orange liqueur to the food processor and pulse until only just combined. Pour the cheesecake filling gently onto the chilled base.
• Add enough just-boiled water to the roasting tin to rise roughly 2cm up the sides. Carefully place the roasting tin in the centre of the oven and bake for about 1 hr 15 mins. The cheesecake is ready when it is very lightly browned and only just set.
• Take out of the oven and sprinkle with the grated chocolate. Leave to cool in the water bath for 15 mins. Lift the cake tin from the water and leave to cool for a further 1 hr. Cover with cling film and chill the cheesecake overnight before serving.
• To serve, run a round-bladed knife around the cheesecake and carefully release it from the tin. Using a palette knife, slide the cheesecake onto a flat serving plate or cake stand and cut into wedges to serve.

MINI CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line the holes of a muffin tin with 12 paper muffin cases. Put the biscuits in a food bag and bash to small crumbs with the end of a rolling pin. Tip into a bowl, stir in the melted butter until the crumbs are nicely coated, then spoon between the paper cases. Press down into the bottoms to make a firm base.
• To make the filling, put the ricotta, eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate in a large mixing bowl. Sift in the icing sugar. Beat everything together with an electric whisk or a wooden spoon until very well combined. Spoon into the paper cases right up to the tops, then tap the whole tin on the bench to get rid of any air bubbles. Bake for 30 mins, then remove from the oven and gently push 3 mini eggs into the top of each cheesecake. Let the cheesecakes cool completely before serving. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter until well blended. Press into the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the side of a 9 inch springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes. In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring occasionally until smooth. Set aside to cool, but do not allow to harden.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in the eggs, one at a time on a low speed, or by hand. Gradually stir in the orange juice, and orange zest. Reserve 2 cups of the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the baked crust. Stir the melted chocolate into the reserved batter. Drop the chocolate batter by large spoonfuls onto the white batter. Use a knife to cut through the batter, and leave a swirling design.
• Bake for 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the center is almost set. Run a spatula or thin knife around the edge of the pan while it is still warm, so the cake will not crack. Allow cake to cool completely before removing the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.