Prize Winning Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Recipes

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl; press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10 inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add sugar and almond extract; beat until smooth.
• Add 1/2 cup of the whipping cream; blend well.
• Spoon 3 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the crust lined pan, spreading evenly.
• Carefully spread 1 cup of the pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer; reserve the remaining pie filling for the topping.
• Spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over the pie filling layer.
• Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is set.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
• Bring the other 1/2 cup of whipping cream to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips.
• Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Remove the sides of the springform pan.
• Place cheesecake on the paper lined cookie sheet.
• Spread the chocolate glaze evenly over the top of the cheesecake allowing some of the glaze to run down the sides.
• Chill for at least 3 hours or over night.
• Serve topped with the remaining pie filling.

INDIVIDUAL NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CHEESECAKES WITH BISCOFF CRUST

Steps:

• Process the cookies and granulated sugar in a food processor for 30 seconds or until finely ground. Add the butter; pulse 8 to 10 times or until combined. Press the mixture into bottoms of 8 (8-ounce) serving glasses (or small canning jars).
• Microwave the chocolate in a medium-size, microwave-safe bowl 50 seconds to 1 minute or until melted and smooth, stirring after 30 seconds. Let cool slightly.
• Beat the cream cheese with a mixer at medium speed 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Add the vanilla, salt, and melted chocolate, beating at low speed until well blended.
• Beat the whipping cream until foamy; gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Spoon into the glasses. Cover and chill 4 hours or until set.
• For the topping, cook the cherries and sugar in a small saucepan over medium 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Stir the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Stir into the cherries; cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or just until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in the orange liqueur (or orange juice) and salt. Let cool.
• Top each serving with a layer of whipped cream and the Cherry Topping to serve.

PRIZE WINNING CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate wafer crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees, for 10 minutes. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• Have cream cheese at room temperature. Beat in large mixing bowl at medium speed until creamy. Gradually beat in the one cup of sugar and cocoa. Add vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat until smooth. Pour over chocolate crust. Bake in slow oven, 300 degrees, about one hour until center of cake is firm. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.
• Combine cherry pie filling with liqueur, if being used. Pour over cooled cheesecake.
• Add the two tablespoons sugar and vanilla to whipping cream in bowl. Whip until stiff. Spoon onto cake, covering evenly. Chill several hours before serving.
• Decorate with grated chocolate. Makes 10 to 12 servings. This cheesecake freezes well.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For Crust: Combine chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter or margarine; press onto bottom of 9 inch spring form pan.
• Bake at 350: F. for 10 minutes.
• Cool.
• NOTE: You can also use a ready made chocolate wafer crust. For Cheesecake; Soften gelatin in water; stir over low heat until dissolved.
• Combine cream cheese, sugar, cocoa and vanilla, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
• Gradually add gelatin, mixing until blended.
• Fold in remaining ingredients; pour over crust. Chill until firm.
• Pour cherry pie filling over top of cheesecake. Cut and serve.

BLACK FOREST CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Line muffin cups with paper or foil muffin liners.
• Remove cookie top from each sandwich cookie; crush and set aside. Place cream-topped cookies in lined muffin cups, cream side up.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar, baking cocoa, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Mix in eggs until blended. Fill prepared muffin cups 3/4 full; sprinkle 1/4 cup reserved cookie crumbs over top. Discard remaining crumbs or save for another use.
• Bake in preheated oven until set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Top each cheesecake with 2 tablespoons pie filling and a dollop of whipped topping just before serving.