Never Fail Cheesecakes Recipes

CRACK PROOF CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• To prepare crumb crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the crust ingredients together with a fork until evenly moistened. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. Firmly press the mixture over the bottom and 1-inch up the sides on the pan, use your fingers or the smooth bottom of a glass. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.
• To prepare filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 1 minute just until smooth and free of any lumps. Gradually add the sugar and beat until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl and the beaters. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to slowly beat until combined. Stir in the vanilla and lemon zest. Blend in the sour cream. The batter should be well mixed but not overbeaten. Overbeating incorporates too much air and will cause the cake to puff when baking, then fall and crack when cooling. Pour filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• To prepare water bath: Set the pan on a large piece of aluminum foil and fold up the sides. This will prevent water from seeping into the seams of the springform pan. Carefully set the cake pan in a larger roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
• Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still jiggle, it will firm up after chilling. Be careful not to overcook! Do not do a toothpick test in the cake's center, this will make a crack. Loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan by running a thin metal spatula around the inside rim. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for at least 4 hours to set up. Demold and transfer to a cake plate. Slice the cheesecake with a thin, nonserrated knife that has been dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each cut.
• For the topping: Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring up to a slow boil and stir gently until the berries breakdown and release their natural juice. The consistency should remain a bit chunky. Cool to room temperature and serve on top of cheesecake.

NEVER-FAIL CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Cream the cheese (easy to do if it's at room temperature). Add eggs, one at a time, and then beat in 1 cup of sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. Using small muffin tins filled with paper liners, fill the tins to 1/8-inch from the top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until tops begin to crack (if tops have not cracked after baking 30 minutes, remove them from the oven anyway, as they are adequately baked by that time).
• While cakes are baking, mix sour cream with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla in a bowl.
• Remove the cakes from the oven, leaving the oven on, and cool on wire cake racks in tins for 5 minutes, or until the cakes drop. Then cover the tops of the cakes with the sour cream mixture and put them back in oven for 5 more minutes. Remove the cakes from their tins, use a teaspoon to help get them out, and set them on wire racks to cool. Once they have cooled, put the cakes in the refrigerator. Before serving, add topping of your choice.

NEVER FAIL PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Crush buscuits finely and combine with melted butter. Mix well and press over base into a 8" (20cm) spring release sponge tin. Refrigerate until set firm.
• Soften gelatine in cold water then heat to dissolve it. Leave it to cool.
• Beat cream cheese until soft and smooth. Add condensed milk and beat well. Add drained pineapple, lemon juice, lemon rind and cooled gelatine mixture.
• Stir thoroughly then spoon into prepared crumb base. Refrigerate until firm. Best overnight.