No Frills Cheese Cake Food

CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• To make the crust: In a small bowl, mix the cracker crumbs with the melted butter and the sugar together until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the pan on a rack.
• Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand-held mixer, cream the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. (Stop mixing and scrape down the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed.) Beat in the sour cream. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and cream. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned, but the center still jiggles slightly, about 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.
• To remove the cake from the pan, run a knife or offset spatula around the edges to release the edges from the pan. Open the springform pan and remove the ring.
• Cut the cheesecake into wedges and serve with berries or a raspberry sauce if desired.

NO-FRILLS CHEESE CAKE

Steps:

• For the crust, stir together crust ingredients and press onto bottom and 1-inch up side of a buttered 24-centemeter springform pan. Fill immediately or chill up to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. For the filling, use your mixers lowest speed. Using a paddle attachment, if your mixer has one, beat the cream cheese smooth, no more than 30 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl and beater (or paddle.) Add the sugar in a stream, mixing for no more than 30 seconds. Stop and scrape. Add the vanilla, lemon juice, and 1 egg at a time; mix only until absorbed, no more than 30 seconds each. Add remaining eggs one at a time. Stop and scrape after each addition.
• Wrap aluminum foil around the bottom of the springform pan so it comes at least 1-inch up the sides. Pour the filling into the pan over the crust. Place the pan in a jelly-roll or roasting pan and pour warm water into the pan to a depth of 1/2-inch.
• Bake cheesecake for about 60 minutes, or until lightly colored and firm except for the very center. Remove from the pan of hot water.
• Remove the foil and cool completely on a rack. Wrap the cheesecake in plastic or foil and chill overnight before unmolding.

CHEESE CAKE

Steps:

• Next time you host a birthday party, consider serving cheese in the form of a three-layer cake! Mix three 8-ounce packages softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 3 cups shredded firm cheese (cheddar, parmesan, pepper jack, gouda or a mix); season with salt and pepper. Oil 3 small round pans or ramekins of varying sizes (about 3 to 6 inches) and line with plastic wrap; press the cheese mixture into the pans and chill until firm. Unmold and cover with nuts, bacon, spices or other toppings, then stack the layers. Serve with crackers.

CRACK PROOF CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To prepare crumb crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients together with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Firmly press the mixture over the bottom and 1-inch up the sides on the pan, use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a glass. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.
• To prepare filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute just until smooth and free of any lumps. Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to slowly beat until combined. Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest. Blend in the sour cream. The batter should be well mixed but not overbeaten. Overbeating incorporates too much air and will cause the cake to puff when baking, then fall and crack when cooling. Pour filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• To prepare water bath: Set the pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides. This will prevent water from seeping into the seams of the springform pan. Carefully set the cake pan in a larger roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
• Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle, it will firm up after chilling. Be careful not to overcook! Do not do a toothpick test in the cake's center, this will make a crack. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours to set up. Demold and transfer to a cake plate. Slice the cheesecake with a thin, nonserrated knife that has been dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each cut.
• For the topping: Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring up to a slow boil and stir gently until the berries breakdown and release their natural juice. The consistency should remain a bit chunky. Cool to room temperature and serve on top of cheesecake.

NO-BAKE RED VELVET BULL'S EYE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the red velvet cookie crust: Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
• Put the cookies, sugar and salt in a 14-cup or large food processor fitted with the blade attachment and pulse until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse to combine. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze for 10 minutes to set; be sure to remove after 10 minutes so the cake batter won't set too quickly in the pan. Clean the food processor for the filling.
• For the filling: Put the water in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and stir with a spoon. Let sit until thickened, 5 minutes. Microwave until fully melted, about 30 seconds. Set aside and cool to room temperature, 5 minutes.
• Put the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, sour cream and vanilla in the large food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until very creamy and smooth. Alternatively, combine in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
• While the machine is running, slowly pour in the heavy cream and cooled liquid gelatin, scraping down the sides as needed, until combined. With the machine running again, add the milk and puree until the batter is very smooth, creamy and easily poured.
• Transfer 2 cups batter to a medium bowl and the remaining batter to another medium bowl. Whisk the melted chocolate and 1 teaspoon red food coloring into the bowl with 2 cups batter. Add more food coloring as desired until it's a nice red color.
• Use a large spoon to transfer 1 cup of the white batter into a 1-cup measuring cup. Use another large spoon to transfer 1/2 cup of the red batter into a 1/2-cup measuring cup. Alternatively, see Cook's Note.
• Pour the 1 cup white batter into the center of the springform pan and allow the batter to spread. Pour the 1/2 cup red batter directly into the center of the white batter in the springform pan and allow it to spread in a circular shape to create a bull's eye effect. Repeat alternating the white and red batters in 1/2 cup portions until both are used.
• Refrigerate the cheesecake until set, 8 hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to serve, run a paring knife around the edge of the pan before releasing. Slice and serve.