Sweet Potato Cheesecake With Candied Pecans Food

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE WITH SPICED COOKIE CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch springform with nonstick cooking spray. Wrap the springform in 2 layers of aluminum foil. It's best to use the widest type of foil you can find, one that can be uniformly wrapped up the sides of the springform without leaving a gap near the bottom of the pan. Place the springform in a cake pan or hotel pan wider than the springform. Set aside.
• Pulse the cookies, sugar and salt in a food processor until the mixture resembles a fine powder. Slowly add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture starts to clump.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared springform and gently press the cookie mixture into the bottom of the pan. Use a small measuring cup to evenly tamp down the edges. Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
• For the filling: Put the sweet potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Strain, transfer to a food processor and pulse until the sweet potato becomes a smooth puree. Measure out 1 cup sweet potato puree and set aside. (Reserve any remaining puree for another use.)
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the softened cream cheese. Mix on low until smooth. Add the sugar and mix until just combined. Don't overwhip.
• Whisk together the eggs in a small bowl and add to the stand mixer bowl. Mix until just combined. Add the cream, extracts, speculoos spice and salt. Sift the flour over the mixture and fold until the flour is incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Transfer 1/4 cup of the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a small open tip (Ateco number 3). Set aside.
• To the remaining batter, add the sweet potato puree and orange zest and fold into the batter with a rubber spatula until completely incorporated. Transfer the batter to the springform on top of the crust. Pipe the reserved batter into leaf shapes on top and pull a toothpick through the leaves.
• Transfer the pans to the preheated oven onto the middle oven rack. Carefully pour hot water into the larger cake pan or hotel pan so it comes just halfway up the springform. Bake until the batter just shimmies in the middle of the cheesecake, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Turn off the oven and open the oven door. Allow the cheesecake to cool in the cooling oven, about 2 hours.

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
• Mix the cookie crumbs, brown sugar, butter and salt together in a medium bowl until well blended. Press the mixture into the pie plate. Bake until set and the crust feels firm, 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• To make the cheesecake filling: In a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar and salt, mixing at low speed until the mixture is smooth with no lumps, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and eggs.
• Add the filling to the crust, smooth the top, and chill in the freezer until the filling is sturdy and set up, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• For the sweet potato topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Whisk in the sweet potatoes, half and half, butter, vanilla and eggs until smooth. Pour slowly over the chilled cheesecake filling.
• Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and bake, covering the edges with foil if it browns too quickly, until set along the outside and the center still has a slight jiggle, 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating until ready to serve.

SWEET POTATO PECAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a greased 6-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in egg yolk. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 400° for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. , In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sweet potato, sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla until blended. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour onto crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake at 325° for 35 minutes. For topping, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over cheesecake. Bake 15-25 minutes longer or until center is just set and topping is browned., 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. Remove sides of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• To make the crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Using a tablespoon, press this mixture into a 10-inch springform pan, and chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake crust for 10 minutes and allow to cool. Butter or spray a pan with vegetable spray.
• To make the cheesecake batter: Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, place cream cheese. Use paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Continue to mix and add sugar and salt. Add the eggs 1 at a time, then add sour cream, flour, and spices. Lower speed and add sweet potato puree. Pour the batter into crust lined pan. Place a baking pan of hot water under cheesecake pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees F, then lower temperature to 250 degrees F and bake an additional 1 1/2 hours or until cake center is firm.
• For candied pecans: Melt the sugar and cook until temperature reaches 310 degrees F. Stir in nuts until completely coated. Pour onto buttered baking pan. Try to keep the nuts in individual pieces or pulse in food processor for praline effect.
• Let the cake cool completely in pan on rack for 30 minutes, then wrap in plastic, still in pan, and refrigerate until completely chilled. Loosen pan sides and remove cheesecake. Carefully slice cake with knife dipped in hot water, then wiped. Garnish with candied pecans.

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE WITH PECAN-CRUMB CRUST

Steps:

• Set oven to 425 degrees.
• FOR CRUST: combine crust ingredients well, and press into a 10-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and all eggs until smooth.
• Mix in whipping cream.
• Beat in flour, cinnamon and ginger.
• Beat in well-mashed sweet potatoes until well combined.
• Pour the batter into prepared crust.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 mins; lower heat to 275 degrees, and bake 1 hour more.
• Turn heat off, and leave in oven to cool for several hours, or cool on a wire rack.
• Leave in fridge for 8-9 hours, or overnight to set.
• Serve with sweetened whipped cream or caramel topping.

SWEET POTATO-PECAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mist an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a pot with a large steamer basket in place. Put the sweet potatoes in the basket, cover and steam until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let cool slightly. Add the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the nutmeg, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt; whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.
• Mix the brown sugar, pecans and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl; sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake until hot and beginning to brown around the edges, 40 to 45 minutes.

SWEET POTATO CUPCAKES, BROWN SUGAR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING, CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 18 paper liners, set aside.
• Make the sweet potato puree by processing the sweet potatoes in a food processor. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs. Add the dry ingredients. Whisk in the sweet potato puree. Fill each cupcake in the prepared pan three-quarters full of batter.
• Bake until the tops spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool.
• To assemble: Frost the cupcakes with the Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting. Sprinkle with the Candied Pecans.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the butter and beat until well incorporated. Add the light brown sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating until well incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Beat the egg white in a bowl until frothy; whisk 4 teaspoons water and the vanilla extract into the egg. Stir the sugar, cinnamon and salt into the egg mixture. Add the chopped pecans, stir to coat completely. Spread the pecans onto the baking sheet. Bake the pecans, stirring about every 20 minutes, until the coating forms a glaze, about 1 hour. Allow to cool on the baking sheet.

SWEET POTATO PIE WITH PECAN CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:.
• In a large bowl, stir together flour, pecans and salt.
• With a pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Add oil slowly, continuing to mix with pastry blender or fork.
• Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, using only the amount you need until dough follows blender or fork around bowl.
• Do not overwork dough.
• Form into a ball, cover and let set in refrigerator while preparing filling.
• For the filling:.
• Mix all ingredients except eggs and half & Half and stir well.
• Mix eggs and half & half into this mixture, then slowly fold into sweet potato mixture.
• Assembling the pie:.
• On lightly floured surface, roll crust to fit pie pan.
• Place in pan and flute edges.
• Pour filling into prepared pie shell and bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes. Cover the edges with foil or a pie rim if they start to get too brown before the pie is set in the middle.

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Prick potatoes several times with a fork and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake potatoes in the preheated oven until you can easily pierce them halfway through with a sharp knife, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and allow to cool until easily handled, at least 20 minutes. Leave the oven on.
• Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, pecans, and pumpkin pie spice for topping in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
• Peel the cooled sweet potatoes and cut crosswise into 3/4-inch thick slices.
• Lightly grease a 9x13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish with 2 teaspoons butter. Spread potato slices in a single layer in the dish and spoon a bit of topping over each slice. Add remaining potato slices in a second layer and sprinkle with remaining topping.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly and browned, about 20 minutes. Use a serving spoon to dish this out, making sure to get to some of the sauce from the bottom for each serving.

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Stir flour, 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and the egg yolk mixture to form a ball. Pat about 2/3 rds of the dough on bottom only of 10 inch springform pan (with side removed) to make bottom crust 1/8 inch thick.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust just begins to brown around edge.
• Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• Attach side to pan. Pat remaining dough about 1 inch up inside of pan.
• Beat sweet potatoes, 1 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg and vanilla in medium bowl with electric mixer on low speed until blended; set aside.
• Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar at medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth.
• Beat in sweet potato mixture on low speed about 1 minute until blended.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Pour batter into springform pan.
• Place springform pan in larger pan.
• Pour very hot water into larger pan to 1/3 the height of springform. pan. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes or until center is set, adding very hot water to larger pan as needed.
• Pecan Crumb Topping.
• Mix flour, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in small bowl until crumbly. Stir in pecans.
• Sprinkle Pecan Crumb Topping over cheesecake.
• Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is set.
• Cool.

SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ).
• Mix together graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes; remove from oven and set aside. Keep the oven on.
• Place potatoes in a baking dish. Bake until a knife inserted in center goes through easily, about 1 hour. Cool sweet potatoes enough to handle, peel, and puree.
• Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white sugar until smooth. Mix in sour cream, 1/4 cup cream, and 1 1/2 cups sweet potato puree. Beat in eggs one at a time, blending well after each. Pour filling into crust.
• Bake in 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ) oven until a tester inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour (center may still be slightly jiggly).
• Turn off the oven. Let cake stand 1 hour in oven with door ajar.
• Combine brown sugar and 1/4 cup butter or margarine in a heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat, and bring to a boil. Mix in 1/4 cup cream, then nuts. Pour hot topping over cheesecake. Store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Cook sweet potatoes in boiling water in large covered saucepan 15 min. or until tender; drain. Toss with dressing and pineapple. Spoon into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with marshmallows.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until marshmallows are golden brown.
• Meanwhile, cook and stir dry drink mix and water in medium skillet on medium-high heat until mixture just begins to come to boil. Stir in nuts; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until liquid is reduced and syrupy and nuts are well coated. Spread nuts on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray; let cool completely. Coarsely chop coated nuts; sprinkle over baked sweet potato mixture.

CANDIED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Place sweet potato in a small saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or just until tender. Drain. , When cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place in a greased shallow 2-cup baking dish. , In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans, pineapple juice, lemon juice and cinnamon; sprinkle over sweet potato slices. Dot with butter. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Cover sweet potatoes with water in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and transfer potatoes to a large bowl.
• Mash potatoes with white sugar, milk, eggs, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Spread mixture in prepared baking dish.
• Mix brown sugar, pecans, and flour in another bowl. Pour margarine over pecan mixture; toss until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over potato mixture.
• Bake in preheated oven until pecan topping is hard, about 1 hour.