Here's a cheesecake recipe that lets you unleash the "interior decorator" within. The food coloring options presented can be customizable depending on your partner's preference. Red and green are listed in the recipe below (nicely complemented with red roses and dark chocolates).
Or, choose colors that fit within holiday parameters. For example, use orange food coloring in the cake mixture for Halloween, and fill the center with leftover Trick or Treat candies.
Ingredients:
- 24 ounces cream cheese
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon peel, freshly grated (optional)
- 16 graham cracker squares
- 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 6 drops green food coloring
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 10 ounces strawberries, crushed
- 6 drops red food coloring
- Red silk flowers for decoration
Directions:
Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, lemon peel, and 4 teaspoons lemon juice. Mix for 20 minutes at medium speed with electric mixer.
Crush crackers and combine with confectioner's sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of 2-piece removable-bottom angel food cake pan to form crust. (Do not line sides of pan with crust.)
Pour cheese mixture into pan on top of crust and bake 35-40 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Cool for 30 minutes. Frost with sour cream which has been mixed with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and green food coloring.
Return to 425 degree oven for 7-10 minutes. Chill in refrigerator at least 6 hours.
At least 8 hours before cake is to be served, remove from pan. Combine cornstarch, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, red food coloring, and crushed strawberries in a saucepan. Cook until thick and glossy, stirring constantly. Cool, pour on cake, and chill in refrigerator until cake is to be served. Garnish the hole in the center with silk flowers.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
