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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Orange White Chocolate Cheesecakes w/ Cranberry Sauce {#DessertsInJars}

Holiday gifting... holiday food... holiday planning... holiday MADNESS!  We are in the thick of it right now, like it or not.

Want to know something that can help with your gifting AND your food?  Heck, maybe even your planning?  The new cookbook by blogger Shaina Olmanson, Desserts in Jars.  Yes, the book itself would make a fantastic gift for the cook... the foodie... the dessert-lover... the cookbook collector in your life.  But not only that - it's what lies on the pages inside.  Ideas.  Inspiration!

Say you're going to a holiday party (or planning one), and you're bringing the desserts.  What is more fun than to show up with a crate tucked full of individual little jars filled with beautiful desserts!?  Not a whole lot.  Wrap a festive ribbon around the jar... maybe add a quirky spoon... these desserts in jars will be embraced.  They will be remembered.
But the desserts inside are not limited to this holiday season alone.  You can find frozen desserts to take to picnics in the summer heat.  You can find birthday party treats, girls-night-in ideas, and Spring brunch sweets.  There are also jars of mixes that you can assemble and give to those beginning bakers, teachers, or busy moms.  You are limited only by your own imagination.

By venturing over to author Shaina Olmanson's blog, food for my family, you can find printable custom tags for the recipes in this book, as well.

Are you intrigued yet?  I bet these tempting little Orange White Chocolate Cheesecakes with Cranberry Sauce will pique your interest even more.

Orange White Chocolate Cheesecakes w/ Cranberry Sauce

by © 2012 by Shaina Olmanson and used by permission of The Harvard Common Press
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: ~30 minutes total
Keywords: bake dessert cream cheese cranberries white chocolate Christmas cake American

Ingredients 16 (4 oz.) cheesecakes or 8 (8 oz.) cheesecakes
    for the crust
    • 2 c. graham cracker crumbs
    • ¼ c. sugar
    • 6 Tbs. (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted
    for the cheesecake
    • 7 oz. good-quality white chocolate, chopped
    • ½ c. heavy cream
    • 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
    • ¾ c. sugar
    • 4 large eggs
    • Grated zest of 1 orange
    • ½ tsp. vanilla extract
    • ½ tsp. orange extract
    • Pinch of salt
    for the cranberry topping
    • 12 oz. fresh cranberries
    • ½ c. water
    • 1 c. sugar (brown, lightly packed)
    • Grated zest of 1 orange
    Instructions
    Preheat the oven to 325° F. Grease the bottoms and sides of sixteen 4-ounce jars or eight 8-ounce jars. Make the crust: In a medium-size bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and ¼ cup sugar. Stir in the butter and mix until all of the crumbs are coated. Divide the crumb mixture evenly among the jars and use a wine cork or other small, flat-bottomed object to press down into the bottoms of the jars to form the crusts. Set aside.

    Make the cheesecake:
    Place the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream just to a boil. Immediately pour the cream over the white chocolate and stir until the chocolate is melted. Set aside.

    Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in the sugar. Mix in the reserved white chocolate mixture and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the orange zest, the vanilla and orange extracts, and the salt. Pour or spoon the cheesecake filling over the crusts in the jars to ½ inch from the top.

    Arrange the jars 2 inches apart in high-sided baking pans, such as 9 × 13-inch cake pans, with each pan lined with a clean kitchen towel. Place the pans with the jars in the oven and carefully add hot water to the pans to come halfway up the sides of the jars. Bake the cheesecakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or just until their centers are almost set. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecakes and water to cool slowly in the oven. 

    When the cheesecakes and water have cooled slightly, remove them carefully from the oven and remove the cheesecakes from the pans. Allow to cool completely while making the cranberry topping.

    Make the cranberry topping:
    Place the cranberries, water, and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until boiling. Reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer, stir in the orange zest, and continue cooking for 7 minutes more. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of sauce over the cheesecake in each jar. Transfer the jars to the refrigerator and chill completely before serving. Serve cold.

    my notes:
    I left out the orange extract and reduced the sugar in the cheesecake mixture. I loved the natural orange flavor that the orange zest alone contributed and will continue to make it without the addition of the extract. Also, my first go-round, the filling was slightly too sweet for my taste, so I decreased the sugar by half. I almost think that with the white chocolate in the mix, it may not need any sugar at all.
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    To see more delicious recipes and thoughts on Desserts in Jars, please visit the other participants in this week's #DessertsInJars Holiday Party!  I will update the links below as they become available.  Plus, keep reading, you don't want to miss your chance(s) to win your very own copy of this fantastic book!
    Monday
    Pull Apart Cinnamon Bread -  In the Kitchen with KP 
    Banana Buttermilk Trifles - Daily Dish Recipes 

    Tuesday

    Wednesday
    Cherry Almond Crumble - Sue's Nutrition Buzz 
    Campfire Bars Mix - Mama's Blissful Bites 

    Thursday
    Monster Cookies Mix - Magnolia Days 

    Friday
    Basil Strawberry Lemonade Granita - Juanita's Cocina 
    Strawberry Shortcakes - Supper for a Steal 

    Giveaway
     Harvard Commons Press has graciously offered to give one of my readers their very own copy of Desserts in Jars.  You have lots of chances to win (both here and on the other participating blogs listed above).  The main event is happening tonight during our live twitter chat, using hashtag #DessertsInJars at 8pm ET.  If you join in the chat, using the hashtag #dessertsinjars and tag me (@girlichef), you will earn 10 entries (just for participating).  

    If you miss the chat, don't fret, you still have more chances to win by completing any or all of the options listed and leaving a separate entry for each in the linky tool.
    -leave a comment on this blog post letting me know your favorite dessert
    -follow me on twitter
    -follow me on pinterest
    -pin this post (tag me)
    -tweet about this giveaway (tag me)
    1.
    I follow you on twitter | Visit blog
    2.
    I left a comment on this post: My favorite dessert: A Cheese cake made with a Brandy Liquor sauce topped with homemade whipped cream and Strawberries. | Visit blog
    3.
    I follow you on pinterest | Visit blog
    4.
    I like girlichef on facebook | Visit blog
    5.
    I follow Shaina on twitter | Visit blog
    6.
    I like Food for my Family on facebook | Visit blog
    7.
    I pinned this post using the hashtag #dessertsinjars | Visit blog
    8.
    I tweeted this post using the hashtag #dessertsinjars @ CindyBrickley | Visit blog
    9.
    #DessertsInJars LIVE CHAT participant - entry #1 | Visit blog
    10.
    #DessertsInJars LIVE CHAT participant - entry #2 | Visit blog
    11.
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    17.
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    18.
    #DessertsInJars LIVE CHAT participant - entry #10 | Visit blog
    19.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #1 | Visit blog
    20.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #2 | Visit blog
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    22.
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    23.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #5 | Visit blog
    24.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #6 | Visit blog
    25.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #7 | Visit blog
    26.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #8 | Visit blog
    27.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #9 | Visit blog
    28.
    live twitter chat participant - entry #10 | Visit blog
    29.
    I left a comment
    30.
    I follow on Twitter | Visit blog
    31.
    I follow on Twitter | Visit blog
    32.
    I left a comment | Visit blog
    33.
    I like girlichef on Facebook | Visit blog
    34.
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    35.
    I follow Shaina on Twitter | Visit blog
    36.
    I follow Food for Family on facebook | Visit blog
    37.
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    38.
    I love bananas foster | Visit blog
    39.
    Im not sure I could pick a favorite dessert but I do love anything with chocolate AND cheesecakes. | Visit blog
    40.
    I already follow you on Twitter. : -) | Visit blog
    41.
    Im following Food for my Family on Facebook now. | Visit blog
    42.
    I already follow Shaina on Twitter too. : -) | Visit blog
    43.
    AND I just liked Girlichef on FB! | Visit blog
    44.
    I already pinned but forgot to tag you so I pinned again to a different board and then Tweeted it b/c I still dont know how I tag you on Pinterest. | Visit blog
    45.
    My favorite dessert is cannoli! Cheers!
    46.
    My all time favorite dessert is cake, white to be exact but any kind will do, with buttercream icing! | Visit blog
    47.
    I follow you on Twitter. | Visit blog
    48.
    I follow you on Facebook. | Visit blog
    49.
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    50.
    I follow Shaina on Twitter. | Visit blog
    51.
    I like Food For My Family on Facebook. | Visit blog
    52.
    I pinned: pinterest. com/pin/122371314846698519/ | Visit blog
    53.
    I tweeted: https: //twitter. com/FireRunner2379/status/283397019911995393 | Visit blog
    54.
    My favorite dessert is one we call Mint Dazzler - cookie, chocolate, marshmallow/cream layers, topped w/crushed peppermint.
    55.
    I ike Food for my Family on facebook
    56.
    I like chocolate cake.
    Contest open to those with shipping address in the US only.  All submissions due by Wednesday, December 26th, 11:59 pm Eastern.  Winner will be chosen by random draw by all entries submitted properly (in the linky tool) AND by live twitter chat participation using terms specified above.  Good Luck.

    *update 12/27/12: This giveaway has ended.  Congratulations to entry #4: Cindy Brickley. I've contacted you via email.

    *If you are around today, Tuesday, December 18th, tune in to Midlife Road Trip Blog Talk Radio Show to speak with the author Shaina, hosts Sandi & Rick, and Isabel of Family Foodie at 12 (noon) Eastern time. You can also call in with any questions (213)943-3502.  And don't forget to join in the twitter chat at 8 pm Eastern tonight using hashtag #dessertsinjars.*

    This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Harvard Commons Press. The opinions and thoughts are my own.
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