Eyeball Cheesecake Recipes

EYEBALL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Spray the inside of a 9-inch springform pan that is at least 2 1/2 inches tall evenly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Process the chocolate wafer cookies, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor until the cookies are broken down into fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse until just combined and the mixture resembles wet sand. (Do not overmix or the crust will become pasty.) Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, then freeze while you make the cheesecake mixture.
• Combine 1 package gelatin with 2 tablespoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar, sour cream, lemon juice, vanilla and a pinch of salt and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Microwave the gelatin and water, stirring as needed, until melted, about 30 seconds. Add the gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and beat on medium-high speed to combine, about 30 seconds.
• Pour the cream cheese mixture into the springform pan and smooth out the top. Tap the pan a few times on a tabletop to release any air bubbles in the cheesecake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
• Once the cheesecake is set, prepare the white wine gelatin. Pour the white cranberry juice into a medium saucepan and sprinkle over the remaining 3 packages gelatin. Let sit until the gelatin is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and heat over low heat, whisking occasionally, just until the gelatin and sugar dissolve, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the gelatin mixture into a large liquid measuring cup and stir in the white wine. Use a spoon to scoop away any bubbles at the surface. Refrigerate, stirring every 10 minutes, until the gelatin just begins to thicken and is the consistency of thin fruit jelly, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, gently push a blueberry into the cavity of each lychee. Press the eyeballs firmly into the cheesecake layer, creating a spiral design. Dip a toothpick into the red food coloring and paint lines on the lychees to resemble bloodshot eyeballs.
• Gently pour the wine mixture evenly around the fruit, coming up about 1/4 inch. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes. Pour the remaining gelatin mixture over the cheesecake and refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Use an offset spatula to carefully loosen the sides of the cheesecake from the pan, then open the clasp and remove the outer ring. Cut into slices and serve immediately.

EYEBALL CAKE

Steps:

• For the pupil and iris: Spray a 3-quart mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the blue gelatin with the boiling water in a small bowl and mix until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour 1/4 cup of the gelatin into a second bowl and mix in the black food coloring. Set the remaining blue gelatin aside. Pour the black gelatin into the prepared bowl.
• Place in the refrigerator to set, about 30 minutes. Use a 2 1/4-inch round cutter to cut the gelatin into a circle and carefully remove the excess gelatin from around the outside of the cutter to leave a "pupil" in the bottom of the bowl. Discard the excess gelatin.
• Pour 1/4 cup blue gelatin into the bowl over the black pupil (if the blue gelatin has set before pouring, pop it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to loosen it). You will have some excess blue gelatin. Place the bowl back in the refrigerator to set another 30 minutes.
• For the eyeball and crust: Combine the cheesecake mixes and milk in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer until thick but still pourable, about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the bowl over the pupil and iris. Gently drop the bowl on your counter a few times to release any air bubbles. Place in the refrigerator and let set for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, mix together the melted butter and red gel food coloring and whisk to ensure that the food coloring is completely blended into the butter. Combine the sugar, red melted butter and 2 bags of the crushed graham crackers that came with the no-bake cheesecake mix in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until the graham cracker crumbs are colored red, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the eyeball from the refrigerator and press the crust on top. Place the entire eyeball cake back in the refrigerator to let the crust harden, about 1 hour.
• To plate and garnish: Place a large round plate or platter over the bowl with the eyeball cake. Flip the bowl over so the bowl is on top of the plate. Gently tap the bowl and plate on the counter to help release the eyeball. Gently remove the bowl to reveal the eyeball cake (if the cake does not release from the bowl, dip the bowl in warm water to help it loosen).
• Use the red writing gel to make branching lines around the eye to resemble the veins of a bloodshot eye. Spoon the cherry pie filling around the entire base of the eyeball (you may not use the whole can).

CHEESY EYEBALLS

Steps:

• Remove mini cheese wheels from their wax coating. Using a small paring knife, cut out a small round divot from the center of each cheese wheel. Insert a green, unstuffed olive slice into the hole. Then insert a black olive slice into the center of the green olive.
• Use a clean art brush dipped in red gel food color to draw squiggly lines to create the appearance of a bloodshot eyeball. Chill the eyeballs until ready to serve. Group together on a platter and serve at your Halloween party.