White Chocolate Cheesecake With Cranberry Swirl Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE-CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Set racks in the lower third and middle of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix with your hands until combined. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until ready to fill.
• Make the filling: Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a small pot; remove from the heat. Put the white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set over the pot (do not let the bowl touch the water); stir until melted, about 4 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and set aside.
• Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the cornstarch and beat 2 minutes. Beat in the melted white chocolate, vanilla and salt until combined.
• Fill a roasting pan halfway with water and set on the lower oven rack. Pour the filling into the prepared crust and set on the middle oven rack. Bake until the edge is set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour, 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake sit in the oven, 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Make the compote: Spread the cranberries on a rimmed baking sheet, sprinkle with 1/3 cup sugar and set aside until they release some of their juices, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 2/3 cup sugar, the orange zest and juice, and 3/4 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the cranberries and add them to the saucepan. Cook, stirring, until they begin to burst, about 7 minutes. Transfer the compote to a bowl and refrigerate until completely cool.
• Before serving, run a hot knife around the edge of the cheesecake, then remove the springform ring. Top with the cranberry compote and shaved white chocolate.

PHILADELPHIA® WHITE CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix crushed cookies and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add sugar, chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust. Drop small spoonfuls of preserves over batter; swirl with knife several times for marble effect.
• Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• for crust:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Wrap outside of pan with foil. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are moist. Press crumbs onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan. Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Cool on rack. Maintain oven temperature.
• for filling:
• Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to lukewarm, stirring occasionally.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, then salt; beat until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla; beat until well blended.
• Bake cake until top begins to brown but center still moves slightly when pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Open oven door slightly; turn off oven. Leave cake in oven 30 minutes. Chill cake uncovered overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep refrigerated.)
• Run small knife between pan sides and cake. Release pan sides. Starting at outer edge of top of cake, arrange strawberry halves in slightly overlapping concentric circles, covering top completely. Stir preserves and brandy in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until mixture boils. Strain preserves. Brush glaze generously over strawberries, allowing some glaze to drip between berries. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Chill.)

CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a lightly greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Sprinkle crumbs over bottom and sides of the pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in orange juice and zest. Set aside 3/4 cup; pour remaining filling into pan. , Stir chocolate into reserved filling. Drop by spoonfuls over filling; cut through batter with a knife to swirl the chocolate. , Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 350° for 75-80 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull., 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. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY SWIRL

Steps:

• Bring all cranberry ingredients except vanilla to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low. Cook, covered, 5 minutes. Uncover, cook 1-2 min or until mixture thickens, pressing cranberries against side of saucepan until they pop. cool to room temperature. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla. (Cranberries can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refridgerate. Bring to room temperature before using).
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 375. Combine all crust ingredients in medium bowl until blended. Press into bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake 8-10 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
• Reduce oven temp to 300. Bring 1 inch water to a simmer in small skillet. Remove from heat. Let stand until steam subsides. Place white chocolate in medium bowl (one that won't melt heated), place bowl in water. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and smooth; remove bowl from water.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, flour, lemon juice, and 2 tsp vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until blended. At low speed, beat in chocolate and cream just until blended.
• Pour half of the batter into pan; spoon half the cranberry mixture over batter. Pour in remaining batter, spoon remaining cranberry mixture over top. Swirl cranberry mixture with knife.
• Bake at 300 for 55-60 minutes or until edges are puffed and top is dry to the touch. Center should move slightly when pan is tapped, but should not ripple as if liquid. Cool on wire rack to room temperature. Refrigerate uncovered overnight. (Cheesecake can be made 3 days ahead, covered and refrigerated).

WHITE CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE WITH CRANBERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Use a food processor or by hand, mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the butter pieces and mix until it resembles small pea size pieces. Add the yolk, vanilla, and zest, and mix until it forms a ball. Add the water to help dough come together. Form the dough into a disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Press the dough into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and set aside. For the filling, use a mixer with a paddle attachment. Cream the cheese with the sugar on low speed. Add the eggs 1 at a time until smooth making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and orange zest. Slowly pour in the melted white chocolate and mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into the springform pan. Wrap aluminum foil around the base of pan and up side to protect from water bath. Place pan on sheet pan or pan with high sides and fill with 1/3 water. Bake cheesecake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool for 4 hours before serving.
• To make the compote, place the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and zest in a saucepan and stir over low heat. Simmer until cranberries soften or pop. Cool mixture and add the orange segments.
• Serve cheesecake with compote and orange segments.

CRANBERRY-GLAZED WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Finely grind shortbread cookies and toasted hazelnuts in processor. Add melted unsalted butter and process until moist clumps form. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared springform pan. Bake until crust is pale golden, about 8 minutes. Cool completely. Maintain oven temperature.
• Make filling:
• In top of double boiler set over barely simmering water, stir white chocolate until melted. Remove pan from over water.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until blended and smooth. Add sour cream and Frangelico and beat until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in melted white chocolate.
• Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake cake until top is golden and puffed and center is set, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool in pan on rack (cake will fall in center). Refrigerate until cold.
• Make topping:
• Dissolve 1 teaspoon cornstarch in 1 teaspoon Frangelico in small bowl; set aside. Combine 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup sugar and 3/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups cranberries, grated lemon peel and cornstarch mixture. Simmer until cranberries just begin to pop and mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Cool. Cover and refrigerate until mixture gels. (Cheesecake and cranberry topping can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Run small sharp knife around sides of springform pan to loosen cake. Remove pan sides. Smooth sides of cheesecake with knife. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Transfer cranberries to strainer and drain well, reserving any syrup. Spoon cranberries evenly atop cheesecake. Cut cheesecake into wedges and serve, passing any reserved cranberry syrup separately.

CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 10-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan., In a small bowl, mix crushed cookies and melted butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in cranberry juice and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Fold in white chocolate and cranberries. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake 60-70 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim from pan before serving.

CRANBERRY SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap exterior of a 9-inch springform pan (including bottom) in a double layer of foil.
• Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter and 2 tablespoons sugar; pulse until mixture has the texture of wet sand. Press firmly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake until set and darkened slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar in a slow, steady stream. Beat in salt and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed (do not overmix). Place springform pan in a large, shallow roasting pan. Pour filling into crust.
• Dollop cranberry sauce, 1 teaspoon at a time, over filling; swirl sauce into filling with a skewer or toothpick.
• Transfer roasting pan to oven. Carefully pour enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in center, about 1 hour, 15 minutes.
• Carefully transfer springform pan to a wire rack; let cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, 6 hours, or loosely covered, up to 1 day. Before unmolding and slicing, run a knife around edge of cake.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE WITH RHUBARB SWIRL

Steps:

• Combine rhubarb, sugar& juice in pot, cover& simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is very soft (about 10 minutes).
• Uncover& sir frequently, mashing with the back of the spoon, until the rhubarb forms a thick paste (about 5 minutes more).
• Lightly butter bottom& sides of a 9 1/2 inch springform pan.
• In a small bowl, stir crumbs with butter until mixed& press onto the bottom of the pan.
• Bake in the center of a preheated 350F oven until set (about 8- 10 minutes).
• Let cool completely- leave the oven on.
• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth& creamy.
• Add sugar& corn starch, beating until well combined.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition& scraping down the sides as needed until incorporated.
• Beat in vanilla& salt.
• Stir in sour cream& white chocolate just until mixed.
• Wrap the outside of the springform pan on the underside& halfway up the sides with a double layer of heavy duty aluminum foil.
• Pour half the cheese mixture into the pan.
• Drop half the rhubarb puree by spoonfuls over the cream cheese.
• Using the tip of a sharp knife, swirl the rhubarb into the cream cheese.
• Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture& rhubarb puree.
• Set the pan into a larger ovenproof dish.
• Fill the larger dish with enough hot water to come about 1 inch up the sides of the pan- do NOT fill water any higher than the foil.
• Bake in the center of oven for 45 minutes.
• Leaving the door closed, turn the oven off& leave cheesecake in the oven for another hour.
• Remove pan from water& discard foil.
• Run a knife around the outside edge of the cheesecake.
• Cool in the pan on a rack at room temperature for an hour.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• It will keep well for several days or can be frozen.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEESECAKE WITH SUGARED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. of the sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hrs.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 Tbsp. water and 1 Tbsp. of the remaining sugar to boil in saucepan, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1 min. or until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour over chocolate in medium bowl. Let stand 30 sec.; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Cool. Beat whipping cream in medium bowl with mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream, in small batches, into chocolate mixture just until blended. Refrigerate 3 hrs.
• While chocolate mousse is chilling, cook remaining 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup of the remaining sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 min. or until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in cranberries. Use slotted spoon to transfer cranberries to wire rack; let stand 1 hr. Roll cranberries, in small batches, in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until evenly coated with sugar; place in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature until ready to use.
• Top cheesecake with chocolate mousse and sugared cranberries just before serving.