Mini Red Velvet Cheesecakes Food

MINI RED VELVET CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For crust: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Combine the cookie crumbs, butter, light brown sugar and salt in a mixing bowl until sandy. Lightly spray six 3-inch round mini-cheesecake molds with nonstick spray. Portion out 2 tablespoons of crumb crust into each mold and press flat (the lid of the nonstick spray works great here! Just wipe it clean).
• Bake for 8 minutes, then allow to cool while filling is prepared.
• For the custard: Place a cake pan filled with 1 inch of hot water in the lowest rack of the oven. Whip the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, for 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar, buttermilk powder, vanilla and salt, and blend on low speed for 1 minute. Use a spatula to scrape the bowl and paddle thoroughly. Blend until completely smooth for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk the eggs and egg yolks in a bowl until smooth. Add the eggs to the cream cheese in three additions, allowing each addition to combine before adding the next. Give the bowl and paddle another scrape.
• Warm the cream in the microwave until steaming, about 1 minute. Whisk in the cocoa and red food coloring until smooth. With the mixer on low, add the chocolate and cream mixture and blend just until combined. Divide the custard evenly among the 12 molds, filling each to about 1/4-inch from the top.
• Place the cheesecakes on the center oven rack and turn oven down to 300 degrees F. Bake until puffed and slightly wobbly, with an internal temperature of about 160 degrees F, 42 to 48 minutes. Turn off heat and cool in oven for 25 minutes (the cheesecakes will sink slightly upon cooling).
• For the cream cheese whip: Whip cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in a stand mixer until smooth and light, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the cream and vanilla and mix on low until smooth. Scrape bowl and whip on medium-high speed until medium peaks form. Top each cheesecake with a large dollop and sprinkle with chocolate curls.

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.

MINI RED VELVET CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place foil baking cup in each of 16 regular-size muffin cups. In small bowl, mix cookie crumbs and melted butter. Divide crumb mixture among cups. With back of spoon, firmly press cookie crumbs in bottom of each foil cup.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in 1 cup granulated sugar and the cocoa until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and food color. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Divide batter evenly among baking cups (cups will be almost full).
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until centers are firm. Cool 15 minutes (cheesecake centers will sink while cooling). Refrigerate in baking cups at least 1 hour; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour longer before serving.
• In chilled small bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Spoon whipped cream on chilled cheesecakes. Just before serving, garnish with chocolate curls. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cheesecakes.