White Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake

Bake this at least one day ahead.

Crust:
1 9 ounce package chocolate wafer cookies, broken into pieces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
1 pound good quality white chocolate such as Lindt or Baker's, finely chopped
4 8 ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 1 pint baskets strawberries, hulled, halved
1/2 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons brandy

For crust: Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325F. Butter 10 inch diameter springform pan. Wrap outside of pan with foil. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are moist. Press crumbs onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan. Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Cool on rack. Maintain oven temperature.

For filling: Stir white chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool to lukewarm, stirring occasionally. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, then salt; beat until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla; beat until well blended. Gradually add melted white chocolate, beating until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into crust.

Bake cake until top begins to brown but center still moves slightly when pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Open oven door slightly; turn off oven. Leave cake in oven 30 minutes. Chill cake uncovered overnight. Run small knife between pan sides and cake. Release pan sides.

Starting at outer edge of top of cake, arrange strawberry halves in slightly overlapping concentric circles, covering top completely. Stir preserves and brandy in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until mixture boils. Strain preserves. Brush glaze generously over strawberries, allowing some glaze to drip between berries.

Chocolate Decadence Tart

Filling:
6 ounces semi sweet chocolate
2 eggs
1/3 cup heavy cream

Crust:
2 packages chocolate graham crackers
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg white

Blend graham crackers, melted butter and egg white in food processor until dough forms a ball. Press into a fluted tart shell and bake at 350F for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. Whisk eggs and heavy cream until smooth. Pour into cooled tart shell and refrigerate. Garnish with chocolate whipped cream.

Chocolate Whipped Cream

2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Whip ingredients till stiff peaks form.

Chocolate Fondue

3 (3-ounce) bars Toblerone
1/2 cup light or heavy cream
2 tablespoons Kirsch brandy or Cointreau

Break the Toblerone into separate triangular pieces. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan or small chafing dish. Stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Serve in a chafing dish over low heat.

For dunkables, serve each person a plate with one, or a combination, of the following:

Angelfood cake or ladyfingers, cut in chunks
Orange or tangerine sections
Sliced strawberries or bananas
Profiteroles or puff pastry

Yield: 4 servings

Chocolate Cherry Puffs

Puff pastry
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
1 can bing cherries
chocolate sauce

Cut puffy pastry sheets into six 4 inch triangles, bake until golden. Beat heavy cream in cold mixer until whipped, fold in powdered sugar and cocoa, chill. Combine remaining ingredients in sauce pan, cook until thickened, let cool. To assemble cut pastry in half, fill with cherry mixture and top with chocolate cream. Place top back on, sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

White Chocolate Berry Pie

Category: Holiday Foods / Valentines Day
Filled with fresh ingredients and delightfully decadent, this rich pie is so easy you could even have it on a weeknight! Your family will rave.
Serving: 8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes

5 squares (1 oz. each) white baking chocolate, divided
2 tablespoons milk
1 package (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel (zest)
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1. In a microwave or double boiler, melt four squares of chocolate with milk. Cool to room temperature.

2. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth. Beat in orange peel and melted chocolate. Fold in whipped cream. Spread into crust. Arrange strawberries on top. Melt remaining chocolate; drizzle over berries.

3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Keep refrigerated.