Butter, flour, sugar, eggs oh my! Sugar dipped pastry musings.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake


Unfortunately this picture is not mine, I did not remember to take pictures. But the recipe is definitely worth writing up anyway. The picture and recipe come courtesy of Martha Stewart.

I make a ton of cheesecakes, it has become my signature dessert. Everyone asks for them, and this roasted strawbery cheesecake has become the one everyone wants now. I tend to stay away from Martha Stewart cheesecakes, just because I haven't really found a recipe I loved. Until now. Roasting the strawberries brings out such an intense strawberry flavor, something that raw strawberries never have in a regular cheesecake. This is one spectacular cheesecake.

Strawberries And Cream Cheescake
Serves 8 - 10


1 1/2 pounds strawberries, cleaned and hulled
3 tbs light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup plus 3 tbs granulated sugar
1 pound plus 13 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temp
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs, room temp
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or use 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)
8 3/4 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temp

1. Preheat oven to 300°. Place strawberries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with corn syrup, and toss gently to coat. Bake until syrup thickens and strawberries turn deep red and shrink slightly, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer strawberries and syrup to a medium bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Let cool completely.

2. Raise oven temperature to 350°. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and the melted butter in a small bowl. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to make an even layer. Bake until crust is firm to the touch and has just darkened, about 10 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let crust cool completely.

3. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Put cream cheese into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-low speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then gradually add remaining cup sugar and the salt. Scrape down sides of bowl; add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl, and mix in vanilla bean seeds and mascarpone until very creamy and no lumps remain, about 3 minutes. (Reserve vanilla bean for another use.)


4. Transfer 5 cups cream cheese mixture to bowl with mashed strawberries; stir to combine. Pour strawberry-cream cheese mixture on top of crust; smooth with an offset spatula. Carefully spoon dollops of plain cream cheese mixture on top, smoothing with an offset spatula.


5. Wrap the exterior of the springform pan in 2 layers of foil; set in a large roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with boiling water until water reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake cheesecake until set, about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours (up to overnight). I always make a cheesecake the day before it is to be served.


Chocolate Cupcakes With Pink Swirl Frosting



I made these cupcakes for a birthday party, they are extremely simple and so gorgeous! You can use any chocolate cake recipe you wish, and any frosting that is sturdy enough to be piped. I used a cloth pastry bag fitted only with the coupler, I painted lines of gel food coloring (in this case hot pink) in a swirl pattern inside of the bag to create swirl effect when piped. Use a paint brush from a craft store that has never been used before, I keep some especially for these food projects. I added chocolate jimmies for the final touch.

Chocolate Cupcakes
Makes 24 (can cut in half easily)



3/4 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa (this recipe called for Hershey's)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk (I used coffee)


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin cups with paper baking cups. In large mixer bowl, beat shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add alternately with milk to shortening mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups about 1/2 full with batter. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when touched lightly in center. Place pan on wire racks to cool completely.


Butter Frosting
Enough for 24 cupcakes

This frosting is everyone's favorite, it is a classic recipe that is easy to make. It is extremely versatile.

1/3 cup butter
4 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 1/4 cup milk and vanilla. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar, beating until combined. If necessary, beat in a little more milk to make frosting desired consistency.