Praline Cheesecake Recipes

PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Set side., Meanwhile, beat cream cheese until smooth in a large bowl. Gradually add brown sugar and flour. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Stir in chopped pecans. Pour into crust; bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 20 minutes. Refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and pecans.

CARAMEL PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place a greased 10-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a food processor, combine graham crackers and pecans; cover and process until fine and crumbly. Stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan. Chill for 30 minutes., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, flour, milk and vanilla. Add eggs, beating on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake at 325° for 75-80 minutes or until center is almost 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. Chill., For topping, in a small heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sugar and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar begins to melt. Cook without stirring until dark reddish brown, about 15 minutes., Reduce heat to low; gradually whisk in cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 225°. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool to room temperature., Spread topping evenly over cheesecake (do not scrape sides of pan). Garnish with pecan halves. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

PRALINE CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan. When done, allow cake to cool and leave in pan. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, flour, butter and egg. Cook over low heat for 3 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and vanilla. Spread over cake. Place in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Crush 50 wafers finely; mix with 1/4 cup sugar and margarine. Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Stand remaining wafers around edge of pan, pressing gently into crust to secure.
• Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 45 to 50 min. or until center is almost set. Run small knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours.
• Microwave caramels and milk in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 sec. Cool slightly. Pour over cheesecake; top with nuts.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Combine crust ingredients in a small bowl.
• Press mixture into a 9- or 10- inch springform pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.
• When crust is done, remove from oven and set aside.
• Increase oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, evaporated milk, flour, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl; beat well.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Pour filling mixture into baked crust.
• Bake at 325 degrees F for 50 minutes (center of cheesecake should still be slightly wobbly).
• Cool cheesecake completely (using whatever preferred method; everyone has their own).
• Before serving, paint the top with maple syrup and arrange whole pecans in a decorative pattern on top (I usually do it in such a way as to have one pecan per slice).
• Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-by-9-inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs, granulated sugar and melted butter and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and make the filling.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, then add the brown sugar and flour. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Fold in the chopped pecans.
• Pour the batter into the crust and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F and bake until slightly browned on top, an additional 50 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into 9 bars before serving.

TEXAS PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first three ingredients. Press into springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Remove and reduce oven to 300 degrees.
• Beat cream cheese and brown sugar. Add flour. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Pour into crust. Top with pecans.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cake in for 30 more minutes.
• Refrigerate at least two hours.

HAZELNUT PRALINE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Mix flour, butter and brown sugar in processor until moist clumps form. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Cool. Wrap outside of pan with double layer of heavy-duty foil.
• For filling:
• Reserve 1/2 cup praline for garnish. Grind remaining praline to powder in processor. Beat cream cheese and su gar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in flour, then cream and vanilla. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Fold in praline powder.
• Transfer filling to crust. Place springform pan in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake until center is just set, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Transfer cake to rack. Run small sharp knife around sides of cake to loosen. Cool completely. Remove foil from pan sides. Chill cake overnight. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Release pan sides. Transfer cake to platter. Mound reserved coarsely crushed praline atop center of cake and serve.

PRALINE-CRUSTED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Cheesecake: Combine cookie crumbs and butter.
• Press into bottom and up sides of a greased 10-inch springform pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for approx 8 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Sprinkle coarsely crumbled pralines over crust.
• Beat cream cheese at medium speed with a heavy duty electric mixer until creamy.
• Gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
• Add eggs and egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
• Stir in whipping cream and lemon rind.
• Pour in crust.
• Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees on lower oven rack 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees, and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until almost set.
• Cool on wire rack 1 hour.
• Stir together sour cream and 1/3 cup sugar; spread over cheesecake.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Cool on wire rack.
• Cover and chill 8 hours.
• Remove sides of pan.
• Garnish, if desired with pralines.
• Pralines: Butter bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan.
• Cook brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugars dissolve; stir in pecans.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 238 degrees (soft ball stage).
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla; let stand 3 minutes.
• Beat with a wooden spoon 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
• Working rapidly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper.
• Let stand until firm.

PRALINE PECAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For Nut Crust:
• Heat oven to 400°F. Double wrap a greased 9-inch springform pan in foil to prevent water from leaking into the crust.
• Place all the crust ingredients in a mixing bowl and blend thoroughly.
• Press the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake 6 min. or until the crust is a light golden brown.
• Let cool completely before filling.
• For Cheesecake Filling:
• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Add enough hot water to baking pan to fill to 3/4-inch depth. Place it on the middle rack of the oven.
• In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese until light and creamy. Add the sugar and flour and keep mixing until smooth.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, until well combined but do not over mix.
• Add 1 Tbsp. maple syrup and the chopped pecans and mix everything with a spatula.
• Spread the mixture onto the prepared crust, smooth top using a spatula. Place the cheesecake in the oven and bake it for 1 hour and 10 min. or until the outside of the cake is set and the inside jiggles slightly.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature.
• Decorate the top with the pecan halves and brush it with the other Tbsp. of maple syrup.
• Place in the refrigerator and cool overnight.

CARAMEL PRALINE-TOPPED CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Mix crushed wafers and sugar; stir in melted butter. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Arrange vanilla wafers around sides of pan, rounded sides out, pressing gently into crust., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour over crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake until center is almost set, 55-60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled., Remove rim from pan. In a microwave, melt caramels with milk; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cheesecake; sprinkle with pecans. Freeze option: Wrap individual portions of cheesecake in plastic wrap and place in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Seal bag and freeze. To use, thaw in the refrigerator.

PRALINE CHEESECAKE WITH HAZELNUT CRUST

Steps:

• For Praline:
• Lightly butter cookie sheet. Stir chopped hazelnuts, corn syrup and brown sugar in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil mixture until candy thermometer registers 300°F., tilting pan if necessary to submerge end of thermometer, about 10 minutes. Pour praline mixture onto prepared cookie sheet. Let cool. Break praline into 1-inch pieces. Grind finely in food processor. (Praline can be prepared up to 1 week ahead. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate.)
• For Crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Finely grind graham crackers, hazelnuts and brown sugar in processor. Add butter and Frangelico and process until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on rack. Maintain oven temperature.
• For Filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add yolks 1 at a time, beating after each addition until just blended. Add sour cream, flour, Frangelico and vanilla and beat just until mixture is smooth. Stir in ground praline. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into cream cheese mixture in two additions. Pour filling into prepared crust.
• Bake cake until center is just set, about 50 minutes. Turn off oven and leave cake in oven 40 minutes longer.
• Transfer cheesecake to rack and cool to room temperature. Cut around pan sides with small sharp knife to loosen cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Release pan sides. Beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar to firm peaks. Transfer to pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe rosettes of cream decoratively around edge of cake. Arrange 1 hazelnut atop each rosette. Dust top of cheesecake with cocoa powder. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead; refrigerate.)