STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE - NO BAKE - VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine’s Day Strawberry Cheesecake

This is one of my favorite cheesecakes especially for Valentine’s Day. It is so full of flavor and just enough sweetness to share with those you love.

We had this for breakfast Valentine's Day 2016.  It was very yummy!  Isn't too sweet so perfect for breakfast or brunch.  Loved the added nutella, cocoa powder and cinnamon for the crust.  As I was making it I thought it might be fun to add a white chocolate layer.  I think I might the right call.  It was delish!  Tasted even better the next day.  Added the extra layer instructions at the end.  Everyone really liked this.  Since you don't have to cook this...this would be perfect for summer.  Try to make the day before you want to eat.  Allow approx. 4 hours to make.

Curious how this would work out with blueberries...must try :-)

Ingredients

CRUST:
• 7 whole graham crackers
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons nutella
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ½ tablespoon cinnamon
STRAWBERRY TOPPING:
• 1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, washed and stemmed
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
CHEESECAKE:
• 2 (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups strawberry topping (see above)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• Fresh strawberries for garnish
• 
  
• WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (SEE BELOW)

Instructions

Crust
1. In a food processor or blender grind the graham crackers until they are in a fine powder.
2. Add the butter, nutella, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cocoa powder and process until thoroughly mixed.
3. You may have to scrape down the sides of the bowl/blender a few times.
4. Press the crust evenly into the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch Springform Pan .
5. It should come up the sides slightly.
Strawberry Topping
6. In a saucepot add the strawberries, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water.
7. Cook over medium heat until the strawberries are quite soft.
8. Use a blender to puree the fruit and then return to the pot to finish cooking.
9. Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl.
10. Allow it to sit for about 1 to 2 minutes.
11. Transfer the gelatin to the strawberries and gently cook over low heat.
12. Whisking just until the gelatin is completely dissolved, and then remove pan from heat.
13. Reserve 3/4 cup of the strawberry mixture for the top layer of the cake.
Cheesecake:
14. In a stand mixer beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-low speed until smooth.
15. Add the vanilla extract and the strawberry topping, except the ¾ cup you have reserved for the top layer.
16. In a separate bowl whip the heavy cream until medium peaks.
17. Fold the heavy whipped cream into the strawberry cheesecake batter.
18. Gently folding just until it is all combined.
19. Pour the cheesecake into the prepared pan.
20. Tap the pan gently on the counter to bring any air bubbles to the surface.
21. Let it sit, uncovered, in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until it is set to the touch.
22. Once the cheesecake is set, pour the remaining ¾ cup strawberry topping over it.
23. If the topping has set up in the pot, gently heat it for a minute, just until it is pourable (or heat in microwave for 30 seconds).
24. Place the cheesecake back into the refrigerator and allow to set, uncovered, for another 30 minutes, or until the topping is set.
25. At this point it is ready to serve or you can cover the cheesecake with plastic and it can sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
26. Before unlocking the Springform Pan , run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it.
27. Top with the fresh strawberries.

White Chocolate Mousse:
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces white chocolate baking squares, melted

1. For the white chocolate mousse, in a medium bowl, beat the cream and vanilla with an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined and the peaks are slightly stiffer. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the white chocolate and mix until smooth and creamy. Fold in the whipped cream, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream, and mix gently with a rubber spatula, lifting and turning the cream, until the mousse is combined and creamy.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST
Yum!

1/2 c pecans
2 T sugar
1 cup gingersnap crumbs (approx 20 cookies)
5 T unsalted butter (melted)
1# cream cheese (room temp)
2/3 c brown sugar (packed)
1/2 c sour cream (room temp)
1 c canned solid-pack pumpkin
3 eggs (room temp)
1 tsp found cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
pine of ground ginger
Pecan halves, for garnish

Preheat oven to 325.  In food processor, combine pecans and sugar until finely chopped about 20 seconds.  Pour into large bowl, add gingersnaps crumbs and mix.  Pour in butter and stir well to combine.  Turn mixture into 10" pie dish (or springfoam) and press evenly against bottom and sides to form crust.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Set aside to cool. 
*leave oven on*
In large bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until soft and well blended.  Stir in sour cream and pumpkin.  Gradually beat in eggs, one at a time, add cinnamon, cloves and ginger.  Place pie dish on baking sheet and pour in filling.  Bake in middle of oven for 45 minutes or until filling is set.  Let cool on rack.  Arrange pecan halves around edge of pie.   

LEMON CHEESECAKE

Rich Luscious Lemon Cheesecake Recipe

Abagail had the FHE treat.  We had lemons we needed to use and Abagail loves lemon.  We looked through quite a few recipes.  She couldn't decide between this recipe and lemon pie (same cookbook) so we took a vote.  This is what won.  It was very yummy!  Found this recipe Taste of Home pg. 224.  I also had some vanilla beans.  We used two of them for this recipe.

CRUST:

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 20 squares)
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (comments said they did Blue Diamond glazed pecans)

14/ cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

FILLING:

4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 T lemon juice

2 tsp grated lemon peel

1 tsp vanilla extract

TOPPING:

2 cups (16 oz) sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp grated lemon peel

1 tsp vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine the crumbs, nuts and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 10-in. springform pan; set aside. in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, peel and vanilla; beat just until blended. Pour into crust.
Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven; let stand for 5 minutes. Combine topping ingredients; spread over filling. Return to the oven for 5 minutes. 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. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before slicing. Yield: 12-14 servings.

VANILLA BEAN WHILE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CHEESECAKE

Made this for my bday (40th) 2014.  It was so yummy!  We liked how light & cool it tasted.  Jackson mentioned a couple of times how he liked the top layer.  I ordered my vanilla beans from: http://www.olivenation.com/Bourbon-Madagascar-Vanilla-Beans-P84.aspx  They were a good price and arrived quickly.  Didn't think I would like the graham cracker crust, but I LOVED it!  Next time I wouldn't cook as long (this oven cooks really fast). Maybe do 5 minutes.  I did put discarded pods in sugar.  Can't wait to try the vanilla sugar in a recipe.

Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

YIELD: SERVE 8-12

Don't throw away those scraped out vanilla bean pods (you need two vanilla beans for this recipe)! Learned from the almighty Mr. Alton Brown, I throw the empty pods into a cup of granulated sugar, cover, and let sit for a few days. It makes the most delicious vanilla sugar and I use it almost always for creme brulee. I mean, who doesn't need an excuse to make that, right? Also, here is an easy tutorial on scraping out the seeds if you haven't done it before.

INGREDIENTS

Crust:
• 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Cheesecake:
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sour cream (greek yogurt would probably work too)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• vanilla bean seeds, scraped from one pod
White Chocolate Mousse:
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces white chocolate baking squares, melted
Sweetened Whipped Cream:
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• vanilla bean seeds, scraped from one pod

DIRECTIONS

1. For the crust, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and mix; then stir in the melted butter. Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom and just barely up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan (could also use a 10-inch pan although all the layers will be slightly thinner). Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool completely. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
2. For the cheesecake layer, in a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese with an electric handheld mixer (or stand mixer) until soft and creamy. Add the sour cream, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth. Mix in the vanilla bean seeds until evenly mixed. Don't overmix or the cheesecake will have a tendency to crack while baking.
3. Spread the cheesecake over the cooled crust and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
4. For the white chocolate mousse, in a medium bowl, beat the cream and vanilla with an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined and the peaks are slightly stiffer. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the white chocolate and mix until smooth and creamy. Fold in the whipped cream, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream, and mix gently with a rubber spatula, lifting and turning the cream, until the mousse is combined and creamy.
5. Spread the white chocolate mousse over the cooled cheesecake.
6. For the sweetened whipped cream, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar together until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla bean seeds and mix until slightly stiffer peaks form and the vanilla bean seeds are mixed in.
7. Spread the whipped cream evenly over the white chocolate mousse. Refrigerate at least 1-2 hours before serving (or up to overnight).

TURTLE CHEESECAKE

TURTLE CHEESECAKE
http://recipesnobs.com/2011/11/28/layered-turtle-cheesecake/
We had a party to celebrate Lisa's b-day (2014).  I asked what kind of cake she wanted and this was her request.  Jason had just made one - he sent me the recipe he made which I would like to try someday.  But when I saw this one I really wanted to try it.  I liked the layer idea and wanted to try the crusts.  It was very yummy!  I made it the day before.  Next time I might try doubling the ganache recipe or maybe not.  Scott said it was good how it was but I just love ganache and it wasn't that thick but it was a pretty sweet cheesecake. I did top with extra caramel and pecans.

I know I say this a lot, but this cheesecake is a 10!! Love all the textures and layers. The perfect combination of cheesecake, pecans, caramel, and chocolate. Actually, I wish I had some leftovers to refresh my memory (or to give myself another excuse to have another piece :). Seriously, this is just flat out amazing! Enjoy!!

Layered Turtle Cheesecake
     1 cup all-purpose flour
     1/3 cup packed brown sugar
     1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
     6 tablespoons cold butter, chopped

Filling
     4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
     1 cup sugar
     1/3 cup packed brown sugar
     1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpase flour, divided
     2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
     1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
     4 eggs, lightly beaten
     1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled
     1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
     1/3 cup chopped pecans

Ganache
     1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (I did semi-sweet)
     1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
     2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Optional Garnish
     Pecan halves
     Additional caramel ice cream topping

PUMPKIN OREO CHEESECAKE BARS & PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

PUMPKIN OREO CHEESECAKE OR BARS

YIELD: 

MAKES A 9-INCH PAN OF BARS

THIS WAS SUPER YUMMY!  I DID IT IN A 8" SPRINGFOAM.  THE THICKNESS WAS PERFECT!  COOKED THE CRUST A LITTLE LONG - WAS HARD IN SPOTS.  NEXT TIME PUT ON A COOKIE SHEET - MADE A MESS IN THE OVEN.  ABAGAIL LOVED THIS! MAKE DAY BEFORE.

UPDATE: Made for Thanksgiving 2016.  made with cinnamon bun oreos...yum!  It really complimented the flavor.  also spent the extra $ and bought libby canned pumpkin.  think it really made a difference.  again parts of the crusts turned hard.  cook less next time??

You can sub 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in the recipe. I haven't tried this recipe with low fat cream cheese or light sour cream.

A 9-inch springform pan would also work here; the layers might be a bit thinner. As I noted below in the instructions, make sure your 9-inch baking pan has sides nearly 2-inches tall. The pan will be very full. If I were wanting to make this in a 9X13-inch pan, I wouldn't double the recipe (I think it would be too thick), instead, I would 1 1/2 the ingredients (I haven't tried this yet myself, just thinking out loud about the best way to go about it).

Keep in mind these bars need to chill for at least 8 hours (they make a perfect make-ahead dessert!).

INGREDIENTS

Oreo Crust:
• 1 package (about 14 ounces) Oreo cookies (or similar chocolate sandwich-type cookie, 36 cookies total)
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Pumpking Filling:
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) - Libby works best!
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Topping:
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream (not low fat)
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with at least 1 3/4-inch or higher sides (preferably aluminum but glass will work, too) with two strips of foil that overhang on all four sides (to easily lift out the squares after baking/cooled). You can omit the foil step and lightly grease the pan with nonstick cooking spray if you don't want to lift out the bars after baking.
2. For the crust, pulse 26 of the Oreo cookies (reserve the others for topping) in a blender or food processor until they are fine crumbs. Add the butter and pulse until the crumbs are wet and sandy in texture. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. (try 5 minutes)
4. For the filling by beating the cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer (handheld or stand) until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin, eggs, flour, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and mix until smooth. Pour the filling onto the crust and spread evenly.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the sides are set but the center (about a 4-inch radius in the middle) still jiggles slightly.
6. Remove the bars from the oven but leave it on.
7. Whisk together the sour cream and powdered sugar for the topping and spoon it in dollops across the top of the bars (if you pour it all into the middle, it will be hard to spread). Quickly spread it evenly across the top. Bake the bars for another 10-15 minutes until the edges of the sour cream topping are set.
8. Let the bars cool on a rack for an hour or so. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Chop the rest of the Oreos and sprinkle them on top before serving.

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/pumpkin-oreo-cheesecake-bars/

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

This was incredibly easy to make.  Used fresh pumpkin cooked & pureed (got pumpkins at Trader Joe's).  I thought it was okay.  Scott said it was better the next day and blog worthy.  Used Dulce de Leche from Our Best Bites Cookbook.  Needs a lot of cooling time/fridge time.  Make early in day if having at night.  

1

can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1

package (8 oz) cream cheese, cut into 16 pieces, softened

1/4

teaspoon vanilla

3

eggs

3/4

cup sugar

1/2

cup Original Bisquick® mix

1 1/2

teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1

cup caramel topping, if desired

Pecan halves, if desired

top with whipped cream, pecans and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.

In blender, place all ingredients except caramel topping and pecan halves. Cover; blend on high speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. (Or beat in medium bowl with hand beater 2 minutes.) Pour into pie plate.

Bake about 45 minutes or just until puffed and center is dry (do not overbake). Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours until chilled. Drizzle servings with caramel topping; garnish with pecan halves. Store covered in refrigerator.

No pumpkin pie spice? Use 3/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and nutmeg.