3 Layer Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake Recipes

TRIPLE-LAYER CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine the wafer crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of 9-in. springform pan; set aside. , In a small bowl, beat one 8-oz. package cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/3 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Lightly beat 1 egg; add to cream cheese mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted chocolate and 1/3 cup sour cream. Spoon over crust. , In another bowl, beat second 8-oz. package of cream cheese, brown sugar, flour and 1/3 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Lightly beat 1 egg; add to cream cheese mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in pecans. Carefully spoon over chocolate layer. Place pan on a baking sheet., Beat 3-oz. package of cream cheese, almond extract, and remaining sugar, sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Lightly beat remaining egg; add to cream cheese mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Carefully spoon over pecan layer. , Bake at 325° for 55-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., For glaze, chop 3 oz. semisweet chocolate and place in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Remove sides of springform pan; spread glaze over top of cheesecake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Refrigerate until serving., For chocolate curls, melt remaining semisweet chocolate; spread with a spatula into a very thin layer on a baking sheet. Chill for 2 minutes or until set., Microwave white chips and oil at 70% power for 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at additional 10-15 second intervals, stirring until melted. Spread with a spatula into a very thin layer on a second baking sheet. Chill for 2 minutes or until set., To make curls, push a metal spatula firmly along the baking sheet, under the chocolate, so the chocolate curls as it is pushed. (If chocolate is too firm to curl, let stand a few minutes at room temperature; refrigerate again if it becomes too soft.) Use a toothpick to carefully place each chocolate curl on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to use., Arrange chocolate curls on top of cheesecake just before serving. Garnish with raspberries and mint if desired.

THREE-CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil; grease foil with 1 tablespoon butter., In a heavy large saucepan, combine sugars, milk and cubed butter. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in marshmallows and vanilla until blended., Gradually stir in chocolate chips and chopped chocolate until melted. Fold in pecans. Immediately spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Remove foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.

PHILADELPHIA 3-STEP DOUBLE-CHOCOLATE LAYER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs; beat just until blended.
• Remove 1 cup batter; mix with melted chocolate. Pour into crust; top with remaining plain batter.
• Bake 40 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours. Top with COOL WHIP and berries just before serving.

FABULOUS FUDGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, sugar and cocoa; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in chocolate. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Gradually stir in milk and vanilla. Pour over crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 325° for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set. 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. Refrigerate leftovers.

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. pan with foil, letting ends extend up sides; grease foil. In a microwave, melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir in sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Add egg; blend well. Add flour, baking powder and salt; stir just until combined. Spread as a thin layer in prepared pan. Bake until top appears dry, 6-8 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in cooled chocolate chips. Add beaten eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over brownie layer. Bake until filling is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack., For ganache, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla; cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour over cheesecake layer; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Lifting with foil, remove brownies from pan. Cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted and chopped pecans evenly over the bottom of each of 2 greased and floured 9-inch springform pans.
• Microwave chocolate squares in a microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 1/2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals until melted.
• Stir until smooth.
• Beat butter and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
• Add 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
• Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.
• Add flour, beating at low speed just until blended.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and chocolate morsels.
• Divide batter evenly between pans, spreading over chopped pecans.
• Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; add 1 3/4 cups sugar, beating until well blended.
• Add 7 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
• Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.
• Divide cream cheese mixture evenly between each pan, spreading over brownie batter.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until set.
• Remove from oven; cool cheesecakes completely on wire racks.
• Spread top of each cooled cheesecake with 1 recipe Chocolate Glaze; cover and chill 8 hours.
• Remove sides of pans before serving. Garnish with mint sprigs and sliced strawberries, if desired.
• Chocolate Glaze:.
• Melt 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup whipping cream in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt.
• Whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. If you wish, double the Chocolate Glaze recipe if making two cheesecakes.
• Makes about 2 cups.