White Chocolate Cheesecake

I'm a big fan of white chocolate. When come to chocolate, my number one choice is white chocolate followed by milk chocolate. Dark chocolate never my cup of tea.

One of my girl friend, V is chocolate crazy lover and she eats only dark chocolate, which is good for her. Dark chocolate has so many health benefit especially to women. One of which is the anti-aging properties. And it also help protect the heart. With so many good benefit, dark chocolate is the healthy choice for sure.

I never have heard any good about white chocolate itself, but this white chocolate cheesecake is really good. Merely good is not enough. I think it's awesomely good!

Happy baking!

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Caramel Glaze
adapted from not so humble pie

Caramel Sauce

1 1/2 c granulated sugar
1 3/4 tsp lemon juice
1 pint heavy cream
4 tbsp unsalted butter

Note: This isn't the easiest way for most home cooks to go about making caramel sauce. Melting almost pure sugar in a pan is pesky and it can burn quite easily. If you're not feeling up to attempting this part of the recipe, feel free to buy your favourite caramel sauce and warm it gently to glaze the cheesecake.

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium high heat, combine the sugar and lemon juice. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar is mostly melted then set aside the spoon and swirl the pan over the heat to keep the color even throughout.
2. Continue to cook and swirl until it sugar turns a medium amber color. Watch it carefully, the sugar will quickly darken and should it become dark brown or black it will taste bitter and unpleasant.
3. When the sauce turns the right color slowly whisk in the cream. If the caramel hardens with the addition of the cream, do not worry. Just continue to add the cream and bring the mixture back to a  boil over medium heat. Continue to stir until the sugar has melted. Allow to boil for 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in the butter.
4. Pour into a heat safe container and chill until ready to use.

Crust

10 oz graham crumbs
7 tbsp unsalted butter

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375°F.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and press into the bottom and 1 1/2 in. up the side of a 10 in. spring form pan.
3. Bake for 10 minutes and then allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Cheesecake Filling

3 – 8 oz (250g) cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/4 c granulated sugar
1/2 c heavy cream
8 oz good quality white chocolate, chopped
5 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch salt
boiling water

 

1.             Reduce the heat to 325°F and prepare the cheesecake batter.

2.            Place the chopped white chocolate into a heat safe bowl and set aside.

3.            Bring the 1/2 c of cream to a simmer over medium heat in a small sauce pan.

4.            Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate, jiggle the bowl to submerge it and allow to stand for one minute. Stir the chocolate gently until melted completely.

5.             In your mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth and lump free.

6.            Add the sugar and mix, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

7.             On medium speed, slowly add the white chocolate ganache. Once combined add the eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed until each egg is incorporated. Once added all the eggs, mix in the vanilla and salt and pour into your prepared pan.

8.            Set the pan onto a couple large sheets of aluminium foil and smooth them up the sides of the pan to waterproof.

9.            Set the cheesecake into a large roasting pan and then place in the oven. Pour the boiling water into the roasting pan, filling to about one inch (no higher than the lowest edge of aluminum foil).

10.        Allow to make at 325°F for one hour then reduce heat and bake at 300°F for an additional 60-90 minutes until the center is just set. 

11.          Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

12.         To glaze, gently warm the 1 cup of the caramel sauce on the stove or in the microwave until slightly runny and then pour onto the cheesecake. Smooth the caramel over the cake and you're ready to serve.

                  

If you find caramel is too sweet, you can skip the caramel. Personally, I prefer plain without any sauce.

Enjoy!