Santas Favorite Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hr.
• Meanwhile, combine cranberries, orange juice and remaining sugar and vanilla in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1 min. or until sugar is dissolved. Simmer over medium-low heat 6 to 8 min. or until cranberries are softened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, dissolve cornstarch in water. Add to cranberry mixture; mix well. Cook 30 sec. to 1 min. or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in orange zest. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Spoon cranberry topping over slices of cheesecake just before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, combine white cake mix, egg whites, buttermilk and vegetable oil. Mix with an electric mixer for 2 minutes on high speed.
• In a separate bowl, combine yellow cake mix, buttermilk, egg, cocoa, red food coloring and vinegar. Use an electric mixer to beat for 2 minutes on high speed.
• Spoon white batter alternately with red batter into the prepared cake pans. Swirl batter gently with a knife to create a marbled effect.
• Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the centers comes out clean. Let cool in pans for at least 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and margarine until smooth. Gradually blend in sugar until incorporated and smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Spread peppermint cream cheese frosting between layers, and on top and sides of cake.