White Chocolate Cheesecake With Cocoa Almond Crust Recipes

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients; stir well.
• Firmly press crumb mixture on bottom and 2 inches up sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes; cool in pan on a wire rack.
• Combine white chocolate and 1/2 cup whipping cream in top of a double boiler; bring water to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low; cook until white chocolate melts, stirring occasionally.
• Let cool.
• Beat cream chees at medium speed of an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugaar, beating well.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream, beating well.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition.
• Stir in white chocolate mixture and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
• Beat egg whites at high speed until stiff peaks form.
• Fold into cream cheese mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared crust.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack.
• Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees.
• Combine sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla; stir well.
• Pour over cheesecake, leaving a 3/4 inch border on edge of cheesecake.
• Return to oven and bank an additional 7 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature in pan on a wire rack.
• Chill at least 8 hours.
• Garnish with chocolate curls if desired.

Steps:

• 1. Gather your ingredients.
• 2. Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 355f (180c).
• 3. Take the 1 tablespoon of butter and rub on the bottom and sides of an 8-inch (20cm) spring form pan.
• 4. Cut a round piece of parchment paper the size of the bottom of the pan, and press into the butter.
• 5. Lightly butter the top of the parchment paper, and reserve.
• 6. THE CRUST
• 7. Add all the ingredients for the crust (except the butter) to a large bowl.
• 8. Thoroughly mix.
• 9. Add the butter.
• 10. Cut into the dry ingredients until combined.
• 11. Add the crust to the spring form pan, and flatten it out.
• 12. Make a slight rise around the sides of the pan.
• 13. Place into the preheated oven, and bake for 15 minutes.
• 14. Remove from oven, and allow the crust to cool.
• 15. THE FILLING
• 16. Gather your ingredients.
• 17. While the crust is cooling, add the white chocolate to the top of a double boiler, or you can place a bowl over a pot of gently simmering water.
• 18. Chef's Tip: If you're using blocks of chocolate, it will make the process go faster if you chop it up with a good sharp knife.
• 19. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted.
• 20. Add the melted chocolate to a large bowl, and then add the cream cheese.
• 21. Gently stir the mixture until the chocolate and cream cheese are incorporated.
• 22. Add the yolks.
• 23. Mix until the yolks are incorporated into the chocolate/cheese mixture.
• 24. Meanwhile, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer, or food processor.
• 25. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
• 26. Chef's Note: If the bowl you're using is not clean, you won't get stiff peaks.
• 27. Add half the egg whites to the mixture.
• 28. Gently fold until incorporated.
• 29. Chef's Note: Repeat with the other half of the egg whites.
• 30. Add the mixture to the spring form pan.
• 31. Bake the cheesecake in a bain marie until set, about 45 minutes.
• 32. Chef's Note: A "bain marie" is a water bath. Take a baking dish, large enough to hold the spring form pan. Place the dish and pan into the oven, and then fill the baking dish up with hot water, to about halfway up the spring form pan. This will cook the cheesecake with a gentle, moist heat.
• 33. Chef's Tip: If your spring form pan is not water tight, you need to wrap the outside of the pan in aluminum foil before placing in the bain marie.
• 34. After the cake has set, turn off the oven, and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
• 35. Remove, from oven, remove from bain marie, and allow to rest on the countertop for about an hour.
• 36. Run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake to separate it from the pan.
• 37. Cover and place in the refrigerator and allow the cheesecake to chill for three hours or more before serving.
• 38. Remove from the spring form pan, slice using a knife dipped in warm water, and serve with your favorite toppings. Enjoy.
• 39. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.