Red Velvet Cheesecake

I developed this recipe for our church's chili/desert cook-off competition. Though it was not the winning recipe, it was definitely a big hit.

Crust:
2 c crushed chocolate graham crackers
4 oz butter, melted
2 tbls sugar

Filling:
24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 c buttermilk, room temperature
1 1/2 c sugar
1 tbls vanilla extract
4 eggs, room temperature
2/3 c heavy cream, room temperature
1 c flour
3 tbls cocoa
1 1/2 oz red food color
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbls vinegar

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Brush some of the melted butter in a 9" spring-form pan. In a small bowl combine the melted butter and sugar, stir until sugar dissolves. Mix in chocolate grahams. Press mixture into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl beat cream cheese until smooth. Add in sugar and beat until mixed. Gradually add in buttermilk, cream, red food color, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Sift in flour and cocoa. In a small cup combine baking soda and vinegar, add mixture to cheesecake batter.

Pour batter onto cooled crust. Bake at 250 degrees F in a water bath for 1 1/2 hours or until outside edges are set. Turn off oven, crack open oven door and allow cheesecake to remain for one hour. Remove cake from oven and run a knife around the outside edge. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before storing.

If you would like to add a chocolate swirl to your cheesecake, do not add the red food color. Instead, remove 1 cup of batter, mix with 2 oz melted bittersweet chocolate. Add the red food color to large batch of batter. Pour batter into pan. Spoon chocolate batter on top of cheesecake batter, create swirl pattern.

Nothing new yet...

Due to the holidays and bad weather, I have not felt inclined to cook much. That being said, I have developed a new recipe for my church's women's ministry Chili/Desert Cook-off. Since I am submitting this recipe for the competition, I can't post it yet, but on Wednesday be prepared for a new post and a fantastic, Valentine's Day inspired, cheesecake! I also have a few other recipes that I failed to post, so keep an eye out for Peach Bread Pudding, Lasagna in a Pot, and Arroz con Pollo.