New York cheesecake

Preparation Time

30 - 420 minutes

Cooking Time

90 minutes

Ingredients (serves 10)

• 1 x 250g pkt plain sweet biscuits (such as Arnott's Nice)
• 125g unsalted butter, melted
• 750g cream cheese, at room temperature
• 215g (1 cup) caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind
• 2 tbs plain flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 x 300ml ctn sour cream
• 120g fresh or frozen raspberries

Method

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line the base of a 23cm (base measurement) springform pan with non-stick baking paper.
2. Place the biscuits in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely crushed. Add the butter and process until well combined. Transfer to the lined pan. Use a straight-sided glass to spread and press the biscuit mixture firmly over the base and side of pan, leaving 1cm at the top of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
3. Meanwhile, use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon rind in a large bowl until just combined. Beat in the flour. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition until combined. Stir in the sour cream until just combined.
4. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the base. Place the pan on a baking tray and bake for 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours or until just set in the centre. Turn oven off. Leave the cheesecake in oven, with the door ajar, for 2 hours or until cooled completely (this will prevent cheesecake from cracking). Place in the fridge for 4 hours to chill.
5. Top the cheesecake with the raspberries. Cut into wedges to serve.

Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake with Ginger Lemon Cookie Crust

1 7 oz box Carrs Ginger Lemon Cremes Cookies (finely ground in food processor)

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

20 oz softened cream cheese

2/3 Cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

22 oz canned Pumpkin, (I used 1 1/2 cans of the 15oz size)

12 oz softned cream cheese

1/2 Cup granulated sugar

1/4 Cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Caramel sauce to drizzle if desired

1. Spray a 8×13 inch springform pan (mine was a little bigger) with non stick cooking spray. Combine cookie crumbs and butter in a bowl and then press into bottom of springform pan.

2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over crust.

3. In same mixer, beat the pumpkin, cream cheese, sugars and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Spread over cream cheese layer. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until firm.

4. Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired. 

Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
12 Andes Creme de Menthe Cookies, finely chopped (see note below)

Magic Shell, optional

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add in the extracts and mix until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped topping until until it is fully incorporated into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in mint chocolate cookies.

2. Spoon the filling into a pastry bag or large zip top bag. Snip enough of the end off the bag to allow you pipe the mixture into your popsicle molds. Once your molds are full, gently tap the popsicle mold base on the countertop to help release any air pockets. Freeze according the manufacturers directions.

3. If desired, garnish each popsicle with Magic Shell and chopped cookies.

Tip: If you have an issue releasing your popsicles from the molds, run a little warm water along the sides of the molds, this will usually cause them to release with ease.

Notes:

- If you cannot find the Andes Creme de Menthe Cookies, feel free to substitute Mint Oreos.
- I have not attempted this recipe with a substitute for the frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip).
- Due to the soft texture of this recipe, it is not recommended for use in a Zoku Quick Pop Maker.