recipes

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Squares

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Dulce de Leche (Milk Caramel)I know that most of the world makes this by boiling the milk inside a closed can, but honestly, that scares the bejesus out of me and according to the Carnation can label I pulled this technique from, is not recommended by them (likely because they do not want to get sued, but still). This method works just as well.Pour one can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk into top of double-boiler pan; cover. Place over boiling water. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 40 to 50 minutes, or until thick and light caramel-colored.Remove from heat. Whisk until smooth.

Source: dulce de leche cheesecake squares | smitten kitchen

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Squares
Adapted from Gourmet, December 2003

If you’re looking for a strong dulce de leche flavor in a baked good, this unfortunately isn’t it. Oh, it’s there, but it’s not front and center. It has to share the spotlight with cream cheese, and, well, I’m not sure that it wants to. But, it lingers subtly in the background and, honestly, if there was ever a way to make cheesecake more heavenly, this would have to be it.

I’m sure you’ll notice that there is some gelatin in this recipe, and think it’s odd. Heck, even Alex did, which really just made me beam with pride that he knows so much about baking right now that he knows that gelatin is atypical in (baked) cheesecakes. But, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. The reason why most cheesecake recipes don’t fare well as squares is that they’re too soft to easily pick up; the gelatin fixes addresses this perfectly.

Makes 64 (1-inch) cheesecake squares

For crust
3 1/2 ounces (100 grams or 1 cup) graham crackers, crumbled
2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar
3 tablespoons (45 grams) unsalted butter, melted

For filling
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce or 7-gram envelope, will be just about half an envelope)
1/4 cup (60 ml) whole milk
8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
3/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup dulce de leche (12 1/2-ounce or 355-gram can) (recipe follows)

For glaze
3 ounces (85 grams) fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), coarsely chopped
1/2 stick (2 ounces or 55 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons light corn syrup

Make crust: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with 2 sheets of foil (crisscrossed), leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.

Finely grind crackers with sugar and a pinch of salt in a food processor. With motor running, add butter, blending until combined. Press mixture evenly onto bottom of baking pan. Bake 10 minutes, then cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes.

Make filling: Sprinkle gelatin over milk in a small bowl and let stand 2 minutes to soften. Beat together cream cheese, eggs, salt, and gelatin mixture in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes, then stir in dulce de leche gently but thoroughly. Pour filling over crust, smoothing top, then bake in a hot water bath (I was able to fit mine in a 9×13-inch baking pan) in oven until center is just set, about 45 minutes. Cool cheesecake completely in pan on rack, about 2 hours. Chill, covered, at least 6 hours.

Glaze cake within 2 hours of serving: Heat all glaze ingredients in a double boiler or a small metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth, then pour over cheesecake, tilting baking pan to coat top evenly. Chill, uncovered, 30 minutes.

Lift cheesecake from pan using foil overhang and cut into 1-inch squares with a thin knife, wiping off knife after each cut. (Don’t skip this step! A clean knife is essential for uber-neat squares.)

Note: Cheesecake (without glaze) can be chilled up to 3 days.

Dulce de’ Leche Cheesecake with a Chili Chocolate Ganache

cake

Looking at recipes. Had a plan for a chocolate cheesecake in the turtles style (pecans and caramel) but need to change it. My brother is coming and can’t have nuts.
cake Source: Becky Bakes: Dulce de’ Leche Cheesecake with a Chili Chocolate Ganache

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake with Chili Chocolate Ganache
Adapted from Taste of Home

1-3/4 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (about 35 cookies)
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Cheesecake:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (13.4 ounces) dulce de leche*

Chili Chocolate Ganache:
1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp unsalted butter

Old Fashioned Soft Sugar Cookies

Old Fashion Soft Sugar Cookies

2 cups granulated sugar

3 egs

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup buttermilk

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups flour

Mix all ingredients together (I use a mixer)…drop by spoonfuls onto a greased (with Pam) cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with granulated sugar (can use colored sugar if desired)…bake at 350 degrees until bottoms start turning brown.

You can add a little more buttermilk if you want them more of a flat cookie.

They are very easy to make!

via Never Growing Old .

Maple Pudding Chômeur

A classic French Canadian treat by Brad Gash.

From Food Network.ca – Recipe to Riches

Preparation time:

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Yield: 12

Ingredients

2 cups 35% whipping cream

2 cups maple syrup

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

4 unit eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F (200C). In saucepan, bring cream and maple syrup to a boil over medium heat. Pour into 13 x 9 inch (3 L) glass baking dish.

In bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in milk and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture just until combined. Using ice cream scoop or two large spoons, scoop 12 mounds of batter into hot syrup in baking dish.

Bake in centre of oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.

via Maple Pudding Chômeur .

White Chocolate Cheesecake

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

8 oz. melted white chocolate

3 lb. cream cheese

1 1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. flour

6 eggs

1 c. heavy cream

1 tbsp. vanilla

Grease a 10-inch springform pan. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place cream cheese, sugar and flour in a mixing bowl and cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down bowl and add melted white chocolate. While mixer is running on very low speed, slowly add vanilla and heavy cream, blend well.

Pour mixture into springform pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until center of cheesecake is just firm. Cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Refrigerate until set before removing from pan.

SAUCE FOR TOPPING:

1 c. heavy cream

2 c. white chocolate, finely chopped

2 oz. orange liqueur Triple Sec

Place heavy cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over white chocolate and stir with a wooden spoon until melted. Add orange liqueur and continue stirring until well mixed. Pour warm over chilled cheesecake and serve.

via Cooks.com – Recipe – White Chocolate Cheesecake .

Sour Cream Cheesecake

Daisy Brand – Recipes – Sour Cream Cheesecake .

Sour Cream Cheesecake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar divided use
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla divided use
  • 1 cup Daisy Brand Sour Cream

Directions

Crust: Stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan. Refrigerate the crust while making the filling. Filling: Combine the cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, salt, beaten eggs and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat at medium speed for 5 minutes. Pour the filling into the spring-form pan over the graham cracker crumb crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool 30 minutes before adding the sour cream topping. Topping: Mix the sour cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together in a small bowl. Pour and spread on top of the slightly cooled cheesecake. Bake for 10 more minutes at 350 degrees. Cool to room temperature and then place in refrigerator to chill before serving.