Killer Chocolate Cheesecake Food

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the base, process the graham crackers to make rough crumbs and then add the butter and cocoa. Process again until it makes damp, clumping crumbs and then tip them into the pan. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan to make an even base and put into the freezer while you make the filling.
• Put a kettle on to boil.
• Melt the chocolate either in a microwave or double boiler, and set aside to cool slightly.
• Beat the cream cheese to soften it, then add the sugar and custard power, beating again to combine. Beat in the whole eggs and then the yolks, and the sour cream. Finally add the cocoa dissolved in hot water and melted chocolate and mix to a smooth batter.
• Take the springform tin out of the freezer and line the outside of the tin with a good layer of cling wrap, and then another layer of strong foil over that. This will protect it from the water bath.
• Sit the springform tin in a roasting pan and pour in the cheesecake filling. Fill the roasting pan with just boiled water to come about half way up the cake tin and bake in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the cheesecake should be set, but the underneath should still have a wobble to it.
• Peel away the foil and cling film wrapping and sit the cheesecake in its tin on a rack to cool. Put in the refrigerator once it is no longer hot, and leave to set, covered with plastic overnight. Let it lose its chill before unspringing the cheesecake to serve.
• To make the chocolate sauce: very gently melt the chopped chocolate, cream and syrup. When the chocolate has nearly melted, take off the heat and whisk it to a smooth sauce. Let it cool a little, and pour it over the chocolate cheesecake on its serving plate.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Wrap the outside of the pan in layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. You'll be placing this pan in a water bath, so be sure the pan has been wrapped from every angle.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter. Pat the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack and cool the crust completely. Leave the oven on.
• Fill a medium pot one-third full with water and bring it to a low simmer over medium heat.
• Place a heatproof bowl that will fit on top of the pan snugly, but will not touch the simmering water, on top of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped chocolate into the bowl over the pot. Heat until the chocolate is completely melted, stirring occasionally with a silicon spatula. Remove the pot from the heat, leaving the bowl of chocolate over the hot water. Set aside until needed.
• In the bowl of a food processor (or high-powered blender), pulse the cream cheese until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, about 2 minutes. Add in both sugars and cocoa powder and beat smooth. Add in the eggs, egg yolks, and heavy cream and mix until just combined, about 20 seconds. Fold in the chocolate. Finally add in the vanilla and pulse for another 20 seconds.
• Remove the bowl from the food processor and, using a rubber spatula, stir the filling several times to ensure it's evenly blended.
• Scrape the filling over the partially baked crust in the prepared pan.
• Place the springform pan in a roasting pan or large baking pan. Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and pour enough hot water into the pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake the cheesecake in the water bath for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set but still slightly jiggly. The cake will set completely as it cools.
• Remove the cake from the water bath and place the pan on a wire rack. Carefully loosen the foil, then immediately run the tip of a knife around the sides of the pan, to prevent the top from cracking. Cool completely (in the pan), then transfer cheesecake to the refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours before removing from the pan and slicing.
• Add chopped chocolate to a medium bowl; set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium-heat, bring the cream to a low simmer. Pour half of the cream on top of the chocolate pieces and set aside for 1 minute. With a whisk, begin to incorporate the melted chocolate into the cream. Slowly add the remaining cream and continue carefully whisking until smooth and glossy.
• Add in the butter and use a spatula to stir until the butter is completely melted. The mixture will be dark and glossy. Set aside, at room temperature, until needed.
• Pour ganache over cooled cheesecake. Set aside until ganache is set, about 1 hour.
• To serve, slice the cheesecake with a thin-bladed sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut.
• Store, loosely covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Set aside., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low just until combined. Stir in vanilla and melted chocolate just until blended. Pour filling over crust., Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , Garnish slices with strawberries and chocolate shavings if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

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.

KILLER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a food processor, combine graham crackers, 2 tablespoons sugar, butter and cinnamon. Pulse until smooth. Press into the bottom of an 8x12 inch baking dish.
• In the food processor, combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, eggs and vanilla. Process until smooth. Pour over crust.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Allow to cool for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spread over top of cheesecake. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

KILLER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass or metal cake pan with the 1 tablespoon of room temperature butter.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Combine the buttermilk and vanilla in a medium bowl or a 2-cup liquid measuring cup.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl, if using a handheld mixer), cream the 1 cup of butter and the brown sugar on low speed until creamy and well combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and airy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition and scraping down the side and bottom of the bowl as needed. Once all 3 eggs are added, beat for 1 minute on medium speed to get the mixture nice and fluffy.
• Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture in three batches, starting with the flour. Add the melted chocolate and mix on medium speed until well incorporated, stopping the mixer to scrape down the side and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Use a rubber or offset spatula to scrape the batter into the prepared pan and even it out as much as possible. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the center of the cake resists light pressure, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely, at least 2 hours, before frosting.
• Make the frosting: Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a medium bowl, if using a handheld mixer). Beat on medium-high speed until smooth. Turn off the mixer and sift the confectioners' sugar into the bowl and combine on low speed. Add the melted chocolate, soy sauce, and vanilla and beat on low speed until combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and whip until glossy, 15 to 30 seconds.
• Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread the frosting on top of the cooled cake. Cut into squares and serve.
• DO AHEAD: The cake will keep, loosely covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Let it sit out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

CHOCOLATE-SWIRLED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. To make the crust, combine graham crackers, melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Mix well with a fork to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan that has been coated with non-stick spray. Set aside.
• To make the filling, melt chocolate in a double boiler or medium bowl over simmering water. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy. Fold in sugar and flour. Pour filling into prepared pan.
• Drizzle melted chocolate over surface of cheesecake. Using a toothpick swirl the chocolate into the filling, just until decorative swirls form (don't over-swirl, or you'll lose the effect).
• Bake 1 hour, or until center is set. Turn off oven, prop open the oven door (not all the way, just slightly), and allow the cake to cool 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

KILLER CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position oven rack in middle of oven; preheat oven to 350°.
• Butter a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside tightly with heavy-duty foil.
• Have a roasting pan ready, and put a kettle of water on to boil for the water bath.
• Make the crust: pulse the chocolate wafers in a food processor until finely ground.
• With the motor running, slowly add the butter, and process just until blended.
• Press mixture onto the bottom of the pan.
• Bake crust for 8-10 minutes, until it is set; let cool on a wire rack.
• Make the filling: melt the chocolate with the butter in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of about 1 1/2 inches of nearly simmering water, whisking until smooth.
• Whisk in the cocoa powder.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
• Beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer, beginning on low speed and increasing to med-high speed, in a medium deep bowl until light and fluffy.
• Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in the salt.
• Beat in the chocolate mixture just until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Add in the sour cream and vanilla; beat until smooth, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
• Transfer the filling to the springform pan.
• Set the pan in the roasting pan, place it in the oven, and carefully pour in enough boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly; do not overbake--the cheesecake will firm as it cools.
• Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the water bath for 15 minutes.
• Remove the springform pan from the water bath and let cool completely on a wire rack, then remove the foil and refrigerate the cheesecake, loosely covered, until thoroughly chilled, at least 12 hours, or overnight.
• To serve--let the cheesecake stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Remove the pan sides, smooth the sides of the cheesecake with a table knife, and cut into wedges.

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.