Kardeas Peppermint Red Velvet Cheesecake Food

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Make the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Transfer 2 cups batter to a bowl; stir in the cocoa powder and food coloring. Pour the red batter into the crust, then pour the white batter on top. Using a spoon, pull some of the red batter up from the bottom of the cake and swirl. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still wobbly, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
• Turn off the oven but keep the cake inside to cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan (don't remove the springform side), then transfer to a rack to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch nonstick springform pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment, separately on the bottom and a collar around the sides.
• Mix together the pretzels, butter, sugar and cookie crumbs in a large bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Set aside while you make the cheesecake. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• For the cheesecake: Melt the chocolate in the microwave or using a double boiler until smooth. Set aside.
• Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed until very smooth, about 1 minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Turn the mixer to low, add the sour cream and cocoa powder and mix until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the melted chocolate and then the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until mixed; do not overmix. Pour the filling over the crust and spread into an even layer.
• Double-wrap the bottom of the springform pan with foil, sealing it tightly to prevent water from getting into the pan. Place the springform pan into a larger pan and pour very hot water into the pan until it is about 3/4 inch deep, being careful to make sure the water level doesn't come up higher than the foil.
• Bake until the center is almost set, 60 to 70 minutes. The center will still jiggle, while the edges will be set. Crack the oven door and allow the cake to cool in the oven for 1 to 2 hours.
• Remove the cake from the oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.
• For the chocolate topping: Add the dark chocolate and coconut oil to a double boiler and heat until melted. Let cool slightly, then pour over the cheesecake, spreading so that the sauce drips slightly over the side. The chocolate will harden quickly, so immediately decorate the top of the cake with any additional toppings such as Cookie Pretzel Bark. Cut into wedges and serve chilled.
• Line a small baking sheet with parchment.
• Place a large glass bowl over a pot of simmering water so that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water and add the chocolate. Heat until melted.
• Spread the chocolate into a thin layer on the parchment. Sprinkle the crushed pretzels and cookies on the melted chocolate and place in the freezer until completely hardened, 10 to 15 minutes. Break into pieces and use to decorate the top of the cheesecake.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
• Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the granulated sugar, oil and eggs until completely combined and fluffy. Stir in the food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet, alternating in batches with the buttermilk, until completely combined.
• Scoop the batter into the liners, filling them about two-thirds of the way full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Set on a wire baking rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy and combined, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and beat until combined. Remove 1/2 cup of frosting to a piping bag with a small round tip or a ziptop bag. Add the cocoa powder, melted chocolate, vanilla, food coloring and salt to the remaining frosting and beat until completely combined.
• Using an offset spatula or butter knife, spread the chocolate frosting onto the cupcakes in an even layer, as flat as possible. Next, use the white frosting to pipe stitching onto each cupcake, one 2-inch line with 3 small cross-stitches. Serve on a green platter (for grass)!

RED VELVET SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with baking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer and a large bowl, beat the oil, butter and granulated sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and briefly beat again to ensure everything is combined.
• Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture in three parts and beat just until everything is combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and into the corners using a large offset spatula or knife. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, about 35 minutes.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer and a large bowl, beat the butter and salt on high speed for 1 minute. Add the cream cheese and beat until combined and fluffy, about 1 minute. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the confectioners' sugar in 3 additions until combined. Beat in the vanilla until combined. If the frosting is too stiff, beat in the heavy cream, as needed.
• When cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top using a large offset spatula or knife. Sprinkle with the pecans, if you like.

KARDEA'S CHEF'S SALAD

Steps:

• For the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing: Stir together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, dill, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Assemble the salad: Arrange the lettuce, Sourdough Croutons, tomatoes, Cheddar, carrots, cucumbers, onion, eggs and ham on a serving platter. Drizzle with desired amount of buttermilk ranch dressing.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Toss the bread cubes, olive oil, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and pepper on large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the bread begins to brown, 10 minutes. Stir and bake until the croutons are browned and crispy, 5 minutes more. Set aside to cool completely.

CHEESECAKE LAYERED RED VELVET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line bottom of a 9-in. springform pan with parchment; grease paper., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, flour and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into prepared pan. Place on a baking sheet., Bake until center is set, 40-50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate until ready to assemble, covering when completely cooled. , For cake, increase oven setting to 350°. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., In a large bowl, beat sugar, oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely. , For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to reach desired consistency. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Carefully place cheesecake over frosting., Spread cheesecake with another 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. , In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, buttermilk, cocoa and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in food coloring. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. , Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 60-70 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove sides of pan., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost top of cheesecake. Refrigerate until serving.