Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake With Macaroon Crust Food

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.

DEEPEST DARKEST CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch-diameter springform pan with cooking spray.
• For the crust: In a food processor, grind the cookies until finely ground. Blend in the sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and process until well blended; it should be the consistency of wet sand. Press the crumbs evenly onto the bottom (not the sides) of the prepared pan. (Or just place the cookie crumb-sugar mixture in the pan, pour the melted butter in and combine.) Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake just until set, about 7 minutes. Allow it to cool while preparing the filling.
• For the filling: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute until the chocolate is completely melted. In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together, smoothing out any lumps of cocoa powder. In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, and then add the sugar-cocoa powder mixture. Add the orange zest, prepared coffee or espresso powder at this time, if using. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides and bottom with a rubber scraper when necessary. Blend in the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the lukewarm chocolate and stir until combined.
• Pour the filling over the cooled crust, tap the pan on the table top to remove any air pockets, and then smooth the top to even out. Bake until the center is just set (jiggles like set gelatin) and looks just dry, about 1 hour 10 minutes, rotating halfway. Cool 5 minutes. Run a knife around sides of the cake to loosen, but do not remove from the springform pan. Chill the cake in the refrigerator overnight.
• For the glaze: Stir the heavy cream, chopped chocolate, honey and prepared coffee in a heavy, medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over the center of the cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2-inch of the cheesecake's edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a platter and release from the springform pan. Serve cold, or allow to come to room temperature, about 2 hours.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUNCH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter, and use fingers to mix well. Press firmly into prepared pan, evenly covering the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides. Refrigerate until ready to bake.
• In a microwave or the top of a double boiler, heat sour cream and chocolate together just until chocolate is melted. Mix until smooth.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and fluffy, at least 2 minutes. Mix in eggs one at a time. At low speed, gradually pour in chocolate mixture and mix until smooth.
• Pour filling over the crust in the pan and bake about 1 1/2 hours, until top is set and dry but still jiggles in the center when you shake the pan.
• Set aside to cool and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 days.
• For garnish, place graham crackers in a thick sealable plastic bag and crush, using your hands or a pot, into irregular crumbs. In a small skillet, melt butter until it foams. Add crumbs and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted and fragrant.
• When ready to serve, gently remove sides of springform pan. Serve chilled cheesecake in slices, sprinkled with crumbs and drizzled with chocolate ganache (if using).

PASSOVER CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together the crushed macaroons and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven; remove and cool.
• In a medium bowl, stir cream cheese and sugar together until well blended. Stir in matzo meal, milk and vanilla until smooth. Mix in the eggs one at a time.
• Combine the chocolate chips and butter in a small microwave-safe dish. Heat at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring at each interval. Stir into the cream cheese batter. Pour the batter over the cooled crust and smooth the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the center appears solid when jiggled slightly.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE I

Steps:

• Prepare crumb crust by combining cracker or wafer crumbs, butter or margarine, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Press mixture into bottom and 2 inches up sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
• Melt chocolate chips in top of a double boiler over hot water. Set aside.
• Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Blend in eggs. Gradually pour in chocolate mixture beating on low speed until well-blended. Add 1/2 cup sour cream, flour, vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour into prepared crust.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 - 60 minutes or until filling is firm. Turn oven off. Cool cheesecake 1 hour without opening door. Cool completely. Chill several hours or over night. Garnish just before serving with sweetened sour cream made by combining 1 tablespoon sugar with 1/2 cup sour cream.

OUR BEST CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 min.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 45 to 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim.
• Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours. Top with strawberries just before serving.

NEW YORK STYLE MARBLE CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST

Steps:

• Cream together cream cheese& eggs.
• Make sure they are both at room temperature.
• if possible this will prevent lumps.
• Add in sugar and vanilla and mix.
• In separate bowl, combine crushed cookies with melted butter.
• In large springform pan, press the cookies mixture only in the bottom of the pan (Not the sides).
• Reserve 1/4 of the batter and set aside.
• Pour remaining batter into the pan on top of crust.
• Take reserved mixture and mix in melted choc.
• Swirl in this chocolate mixture by pouring it on top of the white batter and using a knife to make a swirl pattern.
• Bake at 300°F for 50 minutes.
• Let cool for 2 hours.
• Combine 6 oz of chocolate chips and sour cream and ice cooled cake.

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.

NO-BAKE PEACH CHEESECAKE WITH WHEAT THINS CRUST

Steps:

• Line bottom of a 9"-diameter pie dish or springform pan with a parchment paper round. Pulse 3 cups Wheat Thins (about 6½ oz.) in a food processor until finely ground. Add 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt and pulse to combine. With motor running, drizzle in ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled, and process until combined and crumbly. (Alternatively, you can crush crackers in a large resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin until finely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in sugar and salt, then butter.)
• Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press firmly into bottom and halfway up sides with a flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass. Chill crust in freezer while you make the filling, at least 30 minutes. Do ahead: Crust can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• Using an electric mixer on medium speed or a large whisk, beat 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, and 6 Tbsp. sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt in a large bowl until very smooth. Add 6 Tbsp. powdered sugar, 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt and beat until incorporated.
• Using clean beaters or whisk, beat 6 Tbsp. chilled heavy cream in a small until stiff peaks form. Vigorously stir ½ cup peach or apricot jam in another small bowl with a spoon to loosen. Using a rubber spatula, fold whipped cream and jam into cream cheese mixture.
• Spoon filling into chilled crust and spread into an even layer. Cover cheesecake and chill at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. (If you are in a hurry, you can freeze 2 hours, then chill in refrigerator 3 hours).
• Just before serving, toss 3 large peaches, thinly sliced, ¼ cup (packed) light brown sugar, remaining ½ tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, and remaining ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl. Let sit until juicy, 30-40 minutes.
• Slice cheesecake into wedges, wiping knife clean between cuts, and top with peach mixture. Do Ahead: Cheesecake (without peach topping) can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled, or freeze up to 2 weeks.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE-CRUST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Place cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add 3 tablespoons sugar and 6 tablespoons butter and mix until evenly moistened. If needed, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Press into bottom and 3/4 of the way up the sides of a 6-inch springform pan. Freeze while you prepare the filling.
• Make the filling: Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese, lemon juice, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. In another bowl, whip cream to soft peaks; gently fold into cream cheese mixture (do not overmix.) Pour filling over frozen crust, spreading evenly to edges. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until set, at least 30 minutes. Transfer to refrigerator and chill until firm, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• To serve, press half of the raspberries through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to create a puree. Slice cake and serve drizzled with puree and topped with remaining berries.

BEST CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crust: Melt butter in saucepan.
• Stir in crumbs, sugar and cocoa.
• Mix well.
• Press into bottom and 3/4 way up sides of ungreased 10 inch springform pan.
• Do not bake.
• Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until blended.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.
• Mix in sour cream.
• Combine chocolate chips and butter in saucepan over low heat until melted.
• Stir often.
• Add chocolate to cheese mixture.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake in 325 degree oven for about 90 minutes until center is firm.
• Cool at room temperature, then chill.
• Top with whipped cream, raspberries and shaved chocolate.

CHOCOLATE MACAROON CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine chocolate, butter, sugar, coconut, and salt. Using your hands, mix until well combined.
• Press mixture into bottom and all the way up sides of prepared pieplate. Bake until firm but not yet browned, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Crust can be made up to 2 days ahead, and refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap.

MACAROON CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the coconut and pecans; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat in extracts just until blended. Pour over crust. Place pan on a baking sheet. , Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. In a small bowl, beat egg white and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Fold in coconut. Carefully spread over top of cheesecake. , Bake 20-25 minutes longer 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. Remove sides of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.