Leprechauns speak out!

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Do you have a sweet tooth?

I wanted something sweet today and thought I'd share! For you guys copy down the recipe and tell your wife/girlfriend that Cheesecake goes with everything. She'll know what you mean!
Irish Coffee Cheesecake
It’s a cheesecake with "blarney". A creamy, thick sweet cheesecake on a sweet cocoa crust!

Ingredients:
For the Crust:
16 tbsp. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
Large pinch of salt

For the Cheesecake:
1 1/2 lb. (three 8 oz. packages) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 lb. sour cream
1/3 cup Irish Whiskey or Irish cream liqueur
2 tbsp. instant espresso powder

For the Caramel Glaze: (Optional)
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 tbsp. Irish Whiskey or Bailey's Irish Cream, (optional)
8 tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream

Garnish: (Optional)
Cocoa powder for dusting
Whipped Cream
Ready made store-bought chocolate syrup

Method:
To make the crust:
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, rice flour, cocoa powder and salt. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough into a 9-inch round. Pat the dough into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight.

Preheat an oven to 300°F (150 degrees C)
Bake the crust for 30 minutes. Let cool completely.

To make the cheesecake:
Have a pot of hot water ready. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat until smooth. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream, the espresso powder, the Irish whiskey (or Irish cream liqueur, if using), and mix until smooth.

Spread the batter evenly over the crust. Place the springform pan in a large roasting or baking pan, then place on the oven rack. Carefully fill the roasting pan halfway with hot water. Bake for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. To test for doneness, gently shake the pan; the cheesecake should be set from the center to the edges but not dry.

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until chilled throughout, about 1 hour.

To make the caramel glaze:
In a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the brown sugar, butter and cream. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth, add the Irish whiskey (or Bailey's Irish Cream, if using). Let cool to room temperature.

When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator and transfer to a large serving plate. Cut with a hot, dry knife.

Caramel Glaze and Garnish: (Optional)
Drizzle slices with the caramel glaze and chocolate syrup and dust slices with cocoa powder. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

Serves 8 to 10.

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