Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe

Festive and oh-so-good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting, and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. 

—Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina

Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe

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TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 1 hour + chilling 

MAKES: 16 servings

Ingredients

17 chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon sugar

FILLING:

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons baking cocoa

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 bottle (1 ounce) red food coloring

FROSTING:

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions[post_ads_2]

1. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, buttermilk, cocoa and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in food coloring. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
4. Bake at 325° for 60-70 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.
5. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Frost top of cheesecake. Refrigerate until serving. Yield: 16 servings.

Nutritional Facts

1 slice: 463 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 276mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

Courtesy: Taste of Home