Monday, May 12, 2014

Triple Layer Lemon, Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake

As I was down on my hands and knees scraping squished sultanas from the floor boards, my mind drifted to other pleasant things, after the thought that I should never have introduced my 9 month old to that detestable fruit. My mind took me to that tub of Philadelphia cream cheese chocolate frosting that I had purchased to top cupcakes (I promise!) and I found myself making a bee line for the cutlery draw for a tea spoon.
Honestly, that little tub of heaven never even made it close to a cupcake. Unless that cupcake was already in my stomach.
So with that delicious chocolatey goodness in my mind, I was pretty stoked when Philadelphia released a new flavoured cream cheese block in Strawberry flavour as well as lemon. I instantly knew I had to test these babies out in my kitchen. I borrowed from my favourite triple layered chocolate no bake cheesecake recipe and got to work-not using dark, milk and white chocolate as in this recipe, but just white as a base.

There was a heavenly layer of white chocolate paired with the original cream cheese, one of white chocolate and strawberry, and one of white chocolate and lemon-encrusted with a buttery, crumbly biscuit base that extended up the sides. This was topped with an ornate white chocolate crown and chocolate dipped, crumbed strawberries piled high in the centre.


Once it was set I removed a piece for testing purposes. The layering was so pretty, and the scent of strawberry and lemon arose from that cutting. It was at that moment that I was sure that Philadelphia had done it again, inspired by the divine. So if you're wondering how to use Philadelphia's Lemon or Strawberry cream cheese blocks, look no further. Here's a recipe to tickle your fancy!





TRIPLE LAYER LEMON, STRAWBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

 350g plain sweet biscuits (I used Marie biscuits)
125g butter
1/4 cup boiling water
3 tsp unflavoured gelatine
1x 250g packet original cream cheese, at room temperature
1x 250g packet lemon cream cheese, at room temperature
1x 250g packet strawberry cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup caster sugar, divided into three parts
300ml thickened cream, divided into three parts
600g white cooking chocolate, divided into three parts
250g strawberries, washed and dried
100g extra chocolate to garnish strawberries if desired

Break up 300g of biscuits into a food processor. (Reserve the remaining 50g to garnish the top of the cheesecake at a later point.)
Process the biscuits until they resemble fine crumbs. Melt the butter in a large microwave proof bowl, then add the biscuit crumbs and stir until well combined. Tip the contents of the bowl into a 23cm round springform tin. Using a straight sided glass, press this mixture into the base and up the sides of the tin until even and compact. Place in the refrigerator to harden.
In a small bowl, place the hot water and shower the gelatine evenly over the surface. Stir with a fork until the gelatine has dissolved completely. Set aside.
Melt the 600g of white chocolate gently in the microwave. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the original cream cheese in a medium bowl. Add one third of the sugar (this is approximately 2 heaped tablespoons of sugar). Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and well incorporated. Add a third of the cream (100ml) and beat until smooth. Add a third of the gelatine mixture and stir until well combined. Add a third of the melted chocolate (200g) and stir until well combined.
Pour this mixture into the base, cover and freezer to set.
Meanwhile, repeat this process with the strawberry cream cheese for the next layer. Remove the cheesecake from freezer and add this strawberry cream cheese mixture on top of the plain white chocolate layer. Smooth the top and freezer to set.
While these two layers firm, repeat this process with the lemon cream cheese for the final layer.  Remove the pan from the freezer and spread with the final cheesecake layer. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours until firm.
To add the garnishes, process the remaining 50g of biscuit in the food processor. Dip the strawberries in extra melted chocolate if desired, dip them in biscuit crumbs and dry. Pile in the centre of the cake.
If you are interested in making the chocolate crown, melt another 100g white chocolate. Blow up a balloon and paint with the white chocolate. Allow to dry, then prick the balloon with a pun close to the mouth to slowly release the air. Voila!


Serves 10-12



2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. thanks Medeja! hope youre having a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by:)

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