Makeover Semisweet Espresso Cheesecake Recipes

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE WITH GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the crust:
• Place the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and cinnamon in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until combined. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, chop the bittersweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the espresso and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• To make the filling:
• Cream the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extracts and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, and the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.
• Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door opened wide for 1 1/2 hours. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature, until completely cooled.
• For the ganache:
• Finely chop the semisweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the cream and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving. Drizzle the ganache over the top of the cheesecake.

ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crust
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place the cookies in a small bowl, drizzle the butter over them, and stir, making sure the crumbs are evenly coated with butter.
• Place the cookie crumbs in an ungreased 9-inch spring-form pan. With your hands, pat and spread the crumbs evenly over the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Bake in the center of the oven for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Lower the oven temperature to 200°F.
• Filling
• Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and, with the whisk attachment, beat on high until smooth. Add the espresso grounds and mix until incorporated.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each is completely incorporated. Add the egg yolk.
• Add the coffee mixture, vanilla, and flour. Mix until smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Pour the filling into the cooled crust and bake in the center of the oven for a few hours&151;;at least two hours, and maybe as long as four hours.
• You can check for doneness by giving the pan a little shake. If it wobbles like it's still very liquid in the center, keep going. This could take hours. But I'm betting you want a cheesecake with a creamy-smooth consistency and no cracks. So just wait. If you give the cheesecake a shimmy and it jiggles just a little in the middle but otherwise seems nice and firm, turn off the oven but leave the cheesecake inside to cool slowly. Then remove the cheesecake from the oven and set aside to cool completely in the pan.
• Unmold the cheesecake and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 3 hours before serving.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a large bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, butter, sugar and espresso powder. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, melted chocolate, cocoa, half-and-half and flour until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the espresso powder and vanilla. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake at 350° until center is just set and top appears dull, 60-70 minutes. 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., In a small saucepan, combine liqueur and half-and-half. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat whipping cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form., Drizzle cheesecake with coffee syrup; garnish with whipped cream, chocolate and coffee beans.

MAKEOVER TRADITIONAL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a 9-in. springform pan coated with cooking spray on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and confectioners' sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack., Place the lemon juice, vanilla, cottage cheese and 1 cup sour cream in a blender; cover and process for 2 minutes or until smooth. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the remaining sour cream. Add flour and pureed cottage cheese mixture; mix well. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust., Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 3/4 in. hot water to larger pan. Bake at 325° for 1-1/2 hours 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. Remove sides of pan. Garnish with caramel topping and chopped candy.

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crust: Stir together ingredients.
• Press on sides of springform pan and refrigerate.
• Drizzle 3 oz.melted semisweet chocolate over it. (This 3 oz. is optional, and it's not included in the ingredients above).
• Filling: Cream cream cheese.
• Add brown sugar.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.
• Add vanilla, coffee, cooled chocolate, and sour cream, separately.
• Blend after each addition.
• Place the cheesecake in water bath with foil around pan.
• Bake at 300F for 1 hr.;.
• reduce to 275F for 1 hr; reduce to 250F for 30 minute.
• Glaze: After cheesecake has cooled, melt ingredients in microwave and pour warm over cooled cheesecake.
• Now I usually don't add the chocolate drizzle over the bottom, and I just make a plain chocolate crust (without the nuts).
• But I promise you, this is the best chocolate cheesecake I've ever eaten.

ESPRESSO AND CHOCOLATE SWIRL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Grind cookies in processor. Add butter and process using on/off turns until crumbs are moist. Press crumbs on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Wrap outside of pan with aluminum foil.
• For filling:
• In small bowl, dissolve instant espresso in 1 tablespoon water. Using electric mix, beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar and continue beating until mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in espresso mixture, butter and ground coffee beans.
• Combine chocolate and cream in heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until chocolate melts. Pour half of cheese filling (about 2 1/2 cups) into prepared crust. Drop 5 tablespoons melted chocolate mixture by tablespoons around edge of filling, spacing evenly. Use small sharp knife to swirl chocolate into filling. Carefully pour remaining cheese filling over. Drop remaining chocolate mixture by tablespoons into center 6 inches of filling, spacing evenly. Swirl mixtures together using tip of knife.
• Bake cheesecake until edges are puffed and beginning to crack and top is golden brown, about 40 minutes (center will not be set). Cool on rack. Chill overnight. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead.)
• Run small sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Release pan sides. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Transfer to platter and serve.

ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine chocolate wafers, almonds and butter. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9 inch springform pan; refrigerate.
• In small saucepan, combine chocolate, water and espresso powder. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate starts to melt. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Stir in liqueur; cool.
• In large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, beating on lowest mixer speed, just until blended (do not over beat). Reserve 2 cups cream cheese mixture; set aside. Stir cooled chocolate mixture into remaining cream cheese mixture, stirring just until combined; pour into crust.
• Place pan on baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven until edge is set and center is soft set (about 30 minutes). Carefully pour reserved filling mixture around edge of cheesecake; gently spread evenly over entire surface. Continue baking until center appears nearly set (20-25 minutes). Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
• Using a thin knife, carefully loosen side of cheesecake from pan.
• Cool 30 minutes more; remove side of pan. Refrigerate, covered, 4 hours or overnight.
• To Serve: Garnish with chocolate covered espresso beans. Cut into wedges.