Orange Grove Mini Cheesecakes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham-cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Mix well.
• Place cupcake liners in a regular-sized muffin tin and spoon 1 tbsp. of crumb mixture into each liner and press down firmly.
• With an electric or stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sugar, and mix well. Add in the orange extract and eggs, and mix until just combined. Add the sour cream, and incorporate completely.
• Melt ¾ cup chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds. Stir well, and heat in 10-second increments until fully melted.
• Fold 1 cup of the cheesecake mixture into the melted chocolate, and mix completely.
• Spoon about 1 tbsp. of chocolate cheesecake mixture on top of the graham-cracker crust, and smooth over. Repeat with the rest of the crusts.
• Add the orange zest to the cheesecake mixture that is still in the bowl, and mix well. Spoon about 1 tbsp. of this mixture over the chocolate mixture, and smooth over.
• Bake for 30 minutes and let cool to room temperature on a cooling rack.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining ½ cup chocolate chips in a medium-sized bowl.In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat and bring to a simmer. (Don't boil!)
• Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 3 minutes before stirring, and then mix until completely smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecakes. Place cheesecakes in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the crushed chocolate wafers and the melted butter. Place a tightly packed teaspoon of the wafer mixture into each mini-muffin cup and press down firmly.
• In a food processor combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the sugar, half of the orange zest, and the egg. Blend until smooth. Lightly grease the sides of the mini muffin tin with butter. Fill the cups with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheesecake mixture. Place the mini muffin tin in a baking dish and pour enough hot water in the baking dish to come halfway up the sides of the mini muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes. Transfer the mini muffin tin to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Use a small knife to gently pop the cheesecakes out of the cups.
• Just before serving, combine the remaining orange zest with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Top each individual cheesecake with about 1/4 teaspoon of the orange zest mixture and serve.

Steps:

• Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a large bowl, combine crumbs, 2 teaspoons orange zest and butter. Press onto bottom and 2-in. up sides of prepared pan., In a large saucepan, combine orange juice and ginger; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Strain and discard ginger., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in ginger syrup, melted chocolate, vanilla and remaining orange zest. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake at 325° for 70-80 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., For candied orange slices, in a large skillet, combine water and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Add orange slices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 45 minutes or until translucent. Drain oranges on a wire rack; arrange in a single layer on waxed paper to dry., Remove sides of pan. Top cheesecake with candied orange slices. Refrigerate leftovers.