Four Layer Cheese Spread Recipes

FOUR-LAYER CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 4 oz. cream cheese and chopped spinach. In another bowl, combine chutney and remaining cream cheese. In a large bowl, combine cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pecans, onion and hot pepper sauce., Line a 3-cup bowl with plastic wrap. Spread half of the cheddar cheese mixture in prepared bowl. Layer with the spinach and chutney mixtures. Top with remaining cheddar cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Unmold onto a serving plate; garnish with additional spinach. Serve with crackers and vegetables.

LAYERED CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Spread Cheddar cheese into 5-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick, on serving platter; smooth side and top with small metal spatula. Sprinkle mushrooms over cheese; press lightly.
• Spread cream cheese over mushrooms; smooth side and top. Sprinkle with basil; press lightly.
• Top with Swiss-almond cheese; smooth side and top. Sprinkle bell peppers over top. Press parsley into side. Serve with crackers.

LAYERED CURRIED CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and curry powder in a small food processor; cover and pulse until blended. , Spread onto a 10-in. round serving platter. Spoon chutney over top; sprinkle with coconut, pecans, green onions and dried currants. Chill until serving. Serve with crackers.

FOUR LAYER DELIGHT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• In a bowl, cream together margarine with 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix in flour and 1 cup pecans. Press into prepared dish.
• Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes, until very lightly browned. Cool completely.
• In a bowl, cream together cream cheese with remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Fold in half the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust.
• Stir together pudding mix and milk and allow to set up slightly. Spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping and sprinkle with remaining nuts. Keep refrigerated.

4 LAYER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the chocolate cake "crust": Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease the bottom only of a 9-inch springform pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the extract and eggs, beating well after each addition. Add the flour and cocoa and mix well to combine. The batter will be stiff. Spread in the pan. Set aside.
• For the baked chocolate cheesecake: In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese and ricotta with the sugar until smooth. Add a small amount of the cheese mixture to the melted chocolate and combine well. Once the little bit of cheese mixture and chocolate is mixed well, add it back to the rest of the cheese mixture and beat until well combined. Add the eggs and flour and beat well. Smooth over the top of the cake batter in the pan. Bake until the cheesecake is set in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Cover with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent over browning. Remove from the oven and cool.
• A cheesecake is not like a regular cake. It is considered set when the center is still wobbly. After you chill the cheesecake, it will set without wobbling. At this point let the cake cool. Once it is cool, you need to chill the cake for an hour or two.
• For the vanilla cream cheese mousse: Once your chocolate and cheesecake base has been chilled, you can start making the third layer.
• Beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff and set aside. In separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with a mixer in large bowl until well blended. Fold the whipped cream into cheese mixture until just combined. Spread the mixture over the baked cheesecake layer and chill well (freezing the cake at this point works well and makes spreading the final layer easier). Make sure you chill for several hours to make sure all the layers are set.
• For the dark chocolate/white chocolate ganache: Place the chopped dark chocolate in a large bowl. Heat the cream and butter over low heat until just boiling. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the cream mixture. Pour the rest of the cream mixture over the chocolate and let set about 2 minutes, or until it begins to melt. Stir to combine. Repeat for the white chips using the reserved cream mixture. Let cool slightly until spreading consistency.
• Using a sharp knife, gently run the blade around the edge of the cake to loosen. Remove the cake sides from the pan and place the bottom with cake on a serving plate or stand. Spread the frosting over the top and sides.
• Drizzle the white chocolate lightly over the top. Using a knife or toothpick, run it lightly over the top to swirl to create desired effect. At this point, I would place the white chocolate ganache in a pastry bag and use a small round tip to decorate the top of the cake instead of trying to just drizzle it on top. You have more control.
• Press the mini chips (regular size works too) into the frosting on sides until completely coated to create a "crust." Place the cake in the fridge to chill while preparing the final frosting.

FOUR LAYER CHEESE LOAF

Steps:

• Line a 9- x 5-inch loafpan with heavy-duty plastic wrap.
• Press spinach between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture; set aside.
• Stir together Cheddar cheese, pecans, and mayonnaise; spread half of mixture evenly into prepared pan. Stir together spinach, 1 package cream cheese, salt, and pepper; spread evenly over Cheddar cheese layer. Stir together remaining package cream cheese, chutney, and nutmeg; spread evenly over spinach layer. Top with remaining Cheddar cheese mixture.
• Cover and freeze up to 1 month if desired.
• Thaw in refrigerator overnight.
• Garnish, if desired, and serve with assorted crackers.
• This makes one large loaf or you could use mini loaf pans to make 2-3.

FOUR-LAYER DESSERT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Mix flour, nuts and margarine; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 min. or until lightly browned. Cool.
• Beat neufchatel cheese and sugar with mixer until well blended. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spread over crust.
• Beat pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min.; spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining COOL WHIP. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

PIER 4'S CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Have all ingredients at room temperature. Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese and butter.
• With mixer still running, add the Cheddar cheese in small pieces until blended.
• Add remaining ingredients and continue to blend until mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Refrigerate until 1 hour before serving.
• Serve at room temperature.

FOUR-LAYER LEMON TORTE WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter springform pans with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 28 minutes. Cool cakes completely in pans on racks.
• Using small knife, cut around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Remove pan sides. Using serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on platter. Spread with 1/4 cup preserves, then 3/4 cup frosting. Top with second cake layer, cut side up. Spread with 1/4 cup preserves, then 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat with third cake layer. Top with fourth cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press almonds onto sides of cake. Chill until frosting sets, about 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)