Tuesday, January 13, 2009

'CALM BEFORE THE STORM' ~ DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

"Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer."
~ Henry David Thoreau



DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
~ Rich, dense, classic ... a forkful or sliver will not kill!
(favorite treat adapted from Bon Appetit - Oct 2006)
_________________

Crust:

24 Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

Filling:

10 oz. high-quality chopped bittersweet chocolate

4 (8-oz.) packages (room temperature) Philadelphia cream cheese

1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder

4 large organic eggs

Topping:

3/4 cup whipping cream

6 oz. chopped high-quality bittersweet chocolate

1 Tbsp. sugar

Bittersweet chocolate curls

  • Crust: Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Butter 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch high sides. Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar. Add melted butter and process until well blended. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.
  • Filling: Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable. Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth. Blend in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour filling over crust; smooth top; Bake until center is just set and appears dry, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.
  • Topping: Stir cream, 6 oz. chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low hear until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 -inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated)
  • Release pan sides. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Top with chocolate curls. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving. (12 servings)
~ 'Icy blue' Hubbard Lake
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32 comments:

  1. AnonymousTuesday, January 13, 2009

    I just left a comment and I'm not sure if it went through or not -- if so, you can delete this when you moderate. :)

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  2. RURAL Tuesday, January 13, 2009

    Deep dark Chocolate cake, a forkfull will not kill you, who would want to stop at a forkfull?

    This is a keeper recipe. I can hardly wait.

    Jen

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  3. TYRA Hallsénius LindheTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Hi Joey, I love your label 'retro dessert', when you see that one you know 'red alert' don't eat too much.But as you say a forkful will not kill you.
    Lovely winter country photos.
    xoxo Tyra

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  4. joeyTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Hi Nancy, this is the only comment that came through. I'm having issues with comments this AM also ... frozen (like the weather) in Cyberspace ;)

    Dig in Jen! This fav dessert is part of my Saturday party fare (not a low calerie weekend ;)

    You've got it, dear Tyra, indeed a 'red alert'! Since we've been home from the lake, blue skies have evaporated ... we're in for a doozy Artic freeze and snowy week (already 8+ inches on the ground).

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  5. Roses and LilacsTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Hi Joey, as usual, your photos are breath taking. We are scheduled for another nasty storm starting tonight. Thursday's high temperatures won't even reach zero. I'm sure you will be enjoying it soon too:) Stay warm.
    Marnie

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  6. beckieTuesday, January 13, 2009

    I love the old barn. I have always been fascinated with them. Such majestic old buildings who have seen a lot.
    Cheesecake, mmmmmm..... Sounds sinfully delicious.

    Batten down the hatches! And try to stay warm.

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  7. joeyTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Thanks, dear Marnie ~ temps at the lake (where pics were taken) this AM -20 with wind chill. Know you're also in a deep freeze that's headed this way ... I foresee 'frozen nose' & 'popsickle toes'!

    I love old barns also, Beckie ... so photogenic! Thanks for the weather warning ... it's been quite the winter and not over yet!

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  8. marmeeTuesday, January 13, 2009

    i have a thing for barns especially when they are against a snow backdrop. just lovely! i also have a thing for chocolate but will forego learning this one as it might become additive.

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  9. AnonymousTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Hi Joey, now we're talkin'! Fight the winter chill with dark chocolate, and make it rich and luscious, it won't kill! What a great line! :-)
    Frances

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  10. AnonymousTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Oh, I am going to make this.Meanwhile, my very favorite line in this post is the instruction to "cover with soil"! Uhhmmmm. Are you thinking about GARDENING and SPRING by any chance, my dear Joey??? :) (We all are!)

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  11. garden girlTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Sounds really delicious Joey!

    LOVE the photos, especially the barn. I too have a thing for old barns. We have an oil painting of an old barn winter scene, and it's framed with old barn siding. I love it. It was a gift from the artist about 30 years ago, and it's a prized posession.

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  12. Brenda PruittTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Oh my! How dearly I love old barns!
    Brenda

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  13. F CameronTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Joey,

    I love the barn photo!

    Now, let's talk about this recipe. My gosh, girl-- are you trying to breakdown my resistance!

    Lead me not into temptation, I can find the chocolate on my own.

    I won't let myself read beyond the barn photo. I had to close my eyes to scroll down to the comments to avoid reading that recipe! :-)

    In fact, I've been reading your title for hours now and avoided coming to your blog for fear that I'd be lured into the Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake! LOL

    Cameron

    PS -- I had to read the recipe. It sounds too sinful.

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  14. Shady GardenerTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Dark chocolate and white snow. Great contrast... and was it Kathleen at Kasey's Korner that featured hot chocolate with whipped cream? Looks like a theme... ;-)

    Delicious sounding... dangerous for me! (I Never stop at one forkful!) ha.

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  15. joeyTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Hi dear Marmee ~ barns & chocolate! A big stretch but ... what's not to love?

    I'm with you, Frances. Whatever it takes to get us through the seasons. We'll all work it off, right?

    My dear Kathryn ~ I can't stop laughing! As you noted, my head rides between all things that I love ... now wondering, should I correct my recipe, loving the way it reads? (Perhaps for those that don't garden, YES!)

    There is just something about barns, Linda. I would love to see your prized photo. Someday, I'll post many of my favorites ... but with a recipe? Perhaps ...

    Was is it about barns, Brenda? I'm often off and about, breaking to shoot.

    I'm all about temptation, dear Cameron :) My dream is for all to cook and embrace the joy in the kitchen when not out in the garden ... to me, all go hand in hand. I can't imagine a gardener without an herb garden! We all have to eat (albeit this recipe is a bit overboard ;)

    Who can stop at a forkful, dear Shady! But we can try like Dolly Parton (that is how she keeps her youthful top-heavy figure ... useful when we bend over in the garden :)

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  16. UnknownTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Want. cheesecake. Now.

    And I don't even LIKE cheesecake, as a rule. Wow. Brilliant, dear Joey, absolutely brilliant. I'm sure it's the perfect cure for winter.

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  17. RoseTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Oh my goodness, Joey, I LOVE these photos. I grew up on a farm with a red barn much like this--complete with the snow! I played in the haymow when a little girl and used to feed the baby calves there in the spring. My father once talked about tearing it down, but I begged him not to, and fortunately, he didn't. So many memories.

    I skimmed over the recipe--too tempting when I've made up my mind to diet:)

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  18. RoseTuesday, January 13, 2009

    Ha, ha; just read Cameron's comment. I did the same thing today--avoided reading your post for fear of the calories I might take in:)

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  19. joeyWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Ah Jodi, just what you need to ward off the winter blues and heal the soul. "Try it, you'll like it," as Mikey once said in the old cereal commercial. Delighted to see you back in action :)

    I'm so happy you liked this photo, dear Rose. We pass the old red barn each time coming home from the lake but it looked especially charming surrounded by pristine snow and the old red pickup truck. Forget the cheesecake ... I'll eat your piece and do double-sessions on my treadmill (see what a good friend I am :)

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  20. AnonymousWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Yummylicious. Looks cold but I won't mind. I'd enjoy this chocolate dessert in the snow or the grass or the .............

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  21. joeyWednesday, January 14, 2009

    That day was balmy in the 20s, not like today hovering around zero, dear Anna :) But I agreee, a bit of chocolate cheesecake is enjoyable ... just about anywhere!

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  22. GailWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Joey,
    We just can't have enough chocolate desserts...this recipe sounds wonderful. I have to agree with the other folks...a lovely post and the barn photo is very nice! Such a winter we are all having. (word verification~~chap) Gail

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  23. MarysolWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Dear Joey, there's nothing about our MI. weather that a decadent chocolate cheesecake can't fix. Remember that.

    Lovely contrast between the red truck, red barn, and pristine white snow.

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  24. joeyWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Chap indeed, Gail! How perfect for this sub-zero weather and snow that is getting a bit boring.

    Are you enjoying this weather as much as I am, dear Marysol :) Thanks for the lovely comment ... bet you have a 'blow-away' recipe for chocolate cheesecake?

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  25. JanWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Oh my Joey. I don't know about this...after the holiday food-binge I'm thinking, 'no, why is she tempting me like this?',,,ha ha ha! I do love your Thoreau poem, and your photos are lovely too. Perhaps, just perhaps, I shall try the cheesecake...someone in my house will eat it (and it'll probably be me:( Well, thank you for sharing it all!
    Jan

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  26. joeyWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Thanks Jan ~ Indeed, I'm a 'temptress', the 'devil in disguise' :)

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  27. Bren HaasWednesday, January 14, 2009

    As always... wonderful addition to this prize winning blog. You totally captured the day. We are on round #3 of the storm with the temperature dipping down to below zero as I type this to you. Before it got too messy I was able to get some photos this weekend. I hope you are staying warm and safe.

    Warm Wishes my favorite Garden Friend!

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  28. joeyWednesday, January 14, 2009

    This weather is brutal, dear Bren, with more nasty stuff on the way. We're blessed to be toasty warm looking out at the frigid fairyland. Thank you for your always heartwarming comments :)

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  29. ConnieWednesday, January 14, 2009

    Great quote and I love the barn and truck photo...reminds me of my childhood home on the farm. Was able to see the corn stalks when I enlarged the photo, which just adds to the charm of the scene.

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  30. joeyThursday, January 15, 2009

    Thanks Connie ~ seems like old barns conjure up many warm memories.

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  31. CatherineThursday, January 15, 2009

    YUM!~What a decadent sounding cheesecake! It sounds sinfully delicious and perfect for the kind of weather you are having!:) Love your beautiful captures of that stunning (in any weather) Hubbard Lake! And the beautiful red of the barn contrasting against the white snow..fantatic!
    Always enjoy my visits here joey, and always leave inspired,uplifted, and HUNGRY!:D
    Hugs
    Cat

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  32. joeyThursday, January 15, 2009

    I must tell you, dear Catherine, this is sinfully delicious (I even enjoy licking the beaters)! It is so easy and always turns out perfect ~ a great recipe (hope all will enjoy it at 'old coot's' party on Sat :) Now have I shared enough photos to coax you to visit the lake?

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