Marble Cheesecake

16 oz. small curd cottage cheese 3 tbsp cocoa 1/4 tsp instant coffee powder 1 cup sugar 3 tbsp water 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice 8 oz. cream cheese 3 eggs 1 tbsp vanilla 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup oreo crumbs Line a sieve with several layers of paper towels folded.  Top the layers with… Continue reading Marble Cheesecake

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Walnut Crust

1 1/2 cups walnut pieces   1 3/4 cups sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 cups sour cream 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 pounds cream cheese, softened 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped   4 large eggs, at room temperature 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract 1/2 cup heavy cream 1.           Preheat the oven to… Continue reading Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Walnut Crust

Lemon Upside-Down Cake

 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar   2 thin-skinned lemons, sliced paper-thin crosswise, seeds discarded 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs, separated 3/4 cup  milk 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Sweetened whipped cream,… Continue reading Lemon Upside-Down Cake

Flourless Chocolate-Almond Cakes

3 cups sliced almonds (about 10 ounces) 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) butter, softened   2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 4 large eggs, separated   1/2 pound bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped   2 large egg whites Confectioners' sugar, for dusting Lightly sweetened whipped cream 1.           Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly butter eight 3-inch-wide, 2-inch-deep metal rings… Continue reading Flourless Chocolate-Almond Cakes

Malibu Cakes

3 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate,chopped 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter 1/2 cup sugar 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons dark rum 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted and cooled vanilla ice cream Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter and flour six ramekins. In a double boiler, melt chocolate… Continue reading Malibu Cakes

Chocolate Souffles

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 6 tablespoons butter 6 large eggs, separated 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 8 pieces total mint ice cream Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour eight 3/4-cup soufflé dishes. Stir 8 ounces chopped chocolate and butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat… Continue reading Chocolate Souffles

Lavender Tea Cakes

3 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup almonds 1 1/2 cups sugar Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (1/3 to 1/2 cup juice) 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 6 eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and… Continue reading Lavender Tea Cakes

Chestnut Cheesecake

4 ounces (2 cups) Graham cracker crumbs 1/2 stick butter 1 heaped tablespoon sweetened chestnut purée 2 cups cream cheese  3/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 3 egg yolks 3/4 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1–2 tablespoons rum 1 cup sweetened chestnut purée   Preheat the oven to 350°F, and put the kettle on to… Continue reading Chestnut Cheesecake