White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake
White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake
This is a seductive dessert of creamy white chocolate and fresh raspberries baked in a dark chocolate cookie crust.
Chocolate is tricky if you don't handle it properly: it will burn, seize up, or lump with seemingly no provocation. To ensure success, first chop it finely, then place it in a double boiler or stainless steel mixing bowl set over a gently simmering pot of water. Do not let any water get on the chocolate! After a few minutes, turn off the simmering pot of water, stir the chocolate, and let the chocolate finish melting. The heat from the cooling water should be enough to finish melting it.
Chocolate is tricky if you don't handle it properly: it will burn, seize up, or lump with seemingly no provocation. To ensure success, first chop it finely, then place it in a double boiler or stainless steel mixing bowl set over a gently simmering pot of water. Do not let any water get on the chocolate! After a few minutes, turn off the simmering pot of water, stir the chocolate, and let the chocolate finish melting. The heat from the cooling water should be enough to finish melting it.
Servings 10
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 eggs
- 8 ounces white chocolate chopped, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2 1/4 pounds four and a half 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 pound 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 box 9 ounces chocolate wafer cookies
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 250 F. Place a shallow pan on the bottom rack of the oven and half-fill it with water. Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor or blender, process the cookies to fine crumbs, about 1 minute. Remove to a bowl and add the melted butter. Mix until well combined. Press the crumb mixture evenly onto the bottom of the lined pan. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set.
3. Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, lemon zest, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl a few times, until smooth and creamy, about 8 minutes. Add the melted white chocolate and blend for 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until well incorporated. Add the cream and vanilla. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the raspberries by hand.
4. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Set the cheesecake on a baking sheet and place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake until the cake is set and pulls away for the side of the pan, 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat (do not open the door). Leave the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour.
6. Remove to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.
Recipe from theWhite Dog Cafe Cookbook
Multicultural Recipes and Tales of Adventures from Philadelphia's Revolutionary Restaurant
by Judy Wicks and Kevin von Klause
(Running Press Book Publishers; March 1998; $16.95/paperback; $24.95/hardcover)
