Ree Drummond Key Lime Cheesecake Food

KEY LIME PIE CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 ̊. Place a 9-by-13-inch baking pan of hot water on the bottom oven rack. For the crust: Line a second 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Pour in the butter and pulse until the crumbs are well coated and stick together when pinched. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, lime juice and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and light, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat until just incorporated, 1 minute.
• Pour the filling over the crust and smooth the surface. Bake until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly, about 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the bars in the oven with the door closed for 10 minutes. Open the door halfway and leave the bars in the oven until firmly set around the edges and barely jiggly in the center, about 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
• When ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan and peel off the foil. Cut into pieces and generously dust with powdered sugar.

NO-BAKE KEY LIME CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Make the crust: Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil, leaving an overhang. Put the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. Pulse the cookies with the sugar in a food processor until finely ground. With the motor running, pour in the warm melted chocolate mixture and process until combined. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and refrigerate while you make the filling.
• Make the filling: Warm the lime juice in a small saucepan over low heat; whisk in the gelatin and sugar until completely dissolved, then remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth. Beat in the gelatin mixture and vanilla. Spread in the prepared crust and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth. Drizzle over the cheesecake and refrigerate until ready to serve. Remove from the pan using the foil handles and slice into bars. Photograph by Johnny Miller

KEY LIME PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust: Crush the graham crackers in a food processor or a resealable plastic bag. Pour them into a bowl and stir in the melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture into a pie pan and bake until golden and set, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• For the filling: Mix the condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice and egg yolks in the bowl of a mixer and mix on high until smooth and thick.
• Pour the mixture into the crust and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour -- more if possible.
• Serve with whipped cream.

NO-BAKE SPICED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Place the cookies and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely ground, about 1 minute. With the processor running, slowly pour in the butter. Process the mixture until it is the texture of coarse sand, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to an 8-inch springform pan. Using a measuring cup, press the crust into the bottom and about 2 1/2 inches up the sides of the springform pan. Press firmly to pack and make an evenly thick crust. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• For the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until softened and smooth, about a minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the granulated sugar; beat to combine. Add the sour cream, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and apple pie spice. Beat to combine until very smooth, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Add a third of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold in with a rubber spatula until completely combined. (Scoop the mixture from the bottom of the bowl and fold over the top to combine the mixture, without letting all of the air out of the whipped cream). Add the remaining two-thirds of the whipped cream and continue to gently fold until completely combined.
• Remove the crust from the freezer and add the filling. Gently push into an even layer and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to overnight.
• Loosen the cheesecake from the springform pan by running a knife along the edge, then opening the clasp. Slice and drizzle with the caramel sauce to serve.