Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake (for two)


Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you're anything like me, the last thing you want to do is fight the crowd at a restaurant on what is one of its busiest nights of the year. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having someone else do the cooking on a regular basis. Just not on Valentine's Day. Instead, David and I usually stay in and celebrate with dinner that's a little fancier than usual and a nice bottle of wine. And of course the night wouldn't be complete without a killer dessert.

Speaking of killer desserts, this one is pretty high on the list. By now, most everyone has seen some iteration of the red velvet cheesecake, whether it's similar to this one over at Erin's Food Files, or this one at Culinary Concoctions by Peabody. While both of these look and sound fantastic, the last thing I need in my house is a full-size cheesecake. I have no self control when there is cheesecake around. For that reason, I usually only make them when feeding a crowd. Fortunately, these mini cheesecakes offer the perfect solution.

Of course me being me, I couldn't just make a mini version of one of the many recipes for red velvet cheesecakes that are available. Nope. I had to add chocolate. Well, white chocolate. The cheesecake and the cream cheese frosting both have a healthy dose of melted white chocolate mixed in. I think this extra step really takes this already spectacular dessert over the top. Seriously, white chocolate cream cheese frosting may just be my new favorite thing. If you're looking for a special dessert for Valentine's Day, or any day for that matter, here's a portion controlled one that's sure to please.


Mini Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecakes (for two)

White Chocolate Cheesecake Layer
1 ounce white chocolate
1 ounce heavy cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Butter two wells of a small cheesecake pan. (I recommend this one).
2. Melt white chocolate with heavy cream either in a double boiler or in the microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool.
3. Beat together cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Add egg, lemon juice, and vanilla, mixing on medium-low speed until well blended. Finally, add melted white chocolate and mix on low until incorporated.
4. Divide batter between the two cheesecake wells. Bake until set, approximately 15 minutes.
5. Allow cheesecake to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least two hours.

Red Velvet Cake adapted from: Dessert For Two and The Pastry Queen via Confections of a Food Bride
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg white
1 teaspoon red food coloring
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/8 teaspoon white vinegar

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two wells of a mini cheesecake pan.
2. Cream together butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy. Add egg white and continue beating until thoroughly combined.
3. With mixer off, add food coloring and cocoa powder. Mix on low until incorporated, then beat on medium-high for two minutes.
4. Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix together vanilla extract and buttermilk. Alternate adding half of dry ingredients with half of buttermilk/vanilla mixture to the butter mixture, beating on medium until combined after each addition. Mix in sour cream and vinegar on low speed until combined.
5. Divide batter between the two prepared wells. Bake until cakes test done with a toothpick, 20-25 minutes. Allow cakes to cool for about five minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete cooling.

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
1 ounce white chocolate
1 tablespoon heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup powdered sugar

1. Melt white chocolate together with heavy cream in either a double boiler or in the microwave in 15 second increments. Set aside to cool.
2. Beat together cream cheese and butter until thoroughly combined. Beat in melted white chocolate. Add powdered sugar in batches, beating with each addition. If a stiffer frosting is desired, add additional powdered sugar.

Assembly
white chocolate shavings
powdered red food coloring (optional)
cocoa powder (optional)

1. If necessary, level mini-red velvet cakes, then cut each cake into two halves using a serrated knife.
2. Place one chilled cheesecake layer between two layers of cake.
3. Cover each cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting to lock in any loose crumbs, then chill for at least 30 minutes. Apply a final coat of frosting and garnish with white chocolate shavings. If desired, sprinkle with powdered red food coloring or cocoa powder.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Linked to: What's Cooking Wednesday, What I Whipped Up Wednesday, Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party,  These Chicks Cooked, Strut Your Stuff, Sweet Treats Thursday, Famous Linkz Party, It's a Keeper Thursday, Sweet Temptations, Tastetastic Thursday, One Stop Shoppe, Foodie Friday, Creative Me, Making the World Cuter, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up, Market Yourself Monday, Mouthwatering Monday, Trick of Treat Tuesday, Make It Yourself Monday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday  

32 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous! Love that it's the perfect size for 2!

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  2. OMG that looks so good, and the frosting looks so thick and yummy. I am hosting a Valentine contest besides my weekly linky that is fri-monday. I hope you will stop by and link up for a chance to win some fun prizes.
    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/
    Saw you at Mr. Fox's Sweets.

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  3. Love this! I love desserts for two. It's best for me not to have leftovers, LOL. It's so pretty!

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  4. What a gorgeous creation. This is my first visit to your blog, so I took some time to browse through your earlier posts. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you share with your readers and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  5. What a cute idea. Although, my husband doesn't like cheesecake, so I guess this would have to be a dessert for one :)

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  6. Red Velvet Cheese cake...yum! Perfect for Valentines! Thanks for sharing at Mrs Foxs Sweet Party! Have a Sweet Week :)

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  7. Oh my heavens, this looks AMAZING!!!

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  8. Perfect! I love the smaller size. Now I might be able to justify actually making one!

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  9. This is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure it tastes amazing!

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  10. I would love for you to add this recipe to my Famous Linkz Party!! I have one every Wednesday.
    Hugs,
    Heather
    www.made-famous-by.com

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  11. Oh no you didn't! Wow! I love the idea of a personal sized version of my most popular post!

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  12. Ohhhh, sinful! Just the way a valentines day dessert should be.

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  13. Oh girl...that looks and sounds DE-LISH! I am making these this weekend!

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  14. Omg...This recipe looks to dye for! This is my favorite flavor when it comes to cakes and cupcakes! It was even the flavor I used for my wedding cake! I'm having a linky party as well, and would love for you to join it! Here is the link http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/one-stop-s... Thanks for sharing!

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  15. How adorable is this?! Thanks for linking to me! :)

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  16. I love red velvet cake and this dessert for two is just perfect!

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  17. This looks amazing, but if I had it, it might just be for one. What a treat! I am a new follower visiting from Somewhat Simple. I am stumbling this post. Vicky from Mess For Less

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  18. I've wanted to make this for FOREVER. Swoon!

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  19. Beautiful! You had my heart at "white chocolate!" :)

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  20. I made it a while back but only with two layers, this is such a lovely idea

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  21. Beautiful and delicious looking cake!
    And it's very roamntic - I really like what you did :)

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  22. Wow! You are really good! This is awesome! Stopping by from Sumo's link party. I'd like to invite you to stop by my blog if you'd like- I have a few giveaways going on right now and I have a link party on Thursdays!!

    www.bearrrabbitbear.com

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  23. Oh, this looks simply delectable! I would love for you to link up with my party at: http://anoriginalbelle.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-it-yourself-monday-13-link-up.html

    Each week, three items get featured!

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  24. Good luck from Bacon Time. Still making me drool.

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  25. How yummy! Can't wait to try it! Thanks for posting!
    www.notimefortea.com

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  26. There could be nothing better than red velvet cake except to squeeze some cheesecake love between it. So pretty. Angie, it was too fun meeting today and especially since you live in my subdivision. Great making this connection and I look forward to getting together.

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  27. This is so beautiful.i'd rather stay and have a dessert like than goto a restaurant on Vday :)

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