Red Velvet Cheesecake

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***Crust***

1 1/2 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon sugar

***Cheesecake***

3 packages (8 oz. size) cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cup sugar

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 cup sour cream

1/3 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white vinegar

2 bottles (1 oz. size) red food coloring

***Frosting***

1 package (3 oz. size) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract:

Crust: Combine cookie crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press into 9-inch spring-form pan.

Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese with sugar for 1 minute. Add eggs, cocoa, sour cream, buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar and food color. Mix on low speed jut until fully combined. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 F. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes until center is firm. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread over cheese cake. Remove sides of pan. Garnish.

Red Velvet Cheesecake

(from Southern Living Magazine)

This cheesecake's deep red filling and snowy topping

is wonderfully dramatic. Fresh mint sprigs add a pop of Christmas color.

1-1/2 Cups Chocolate Graham Cracker Crumbs

1/4 Cup Butter, melted

1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar

3 (8-ounce) Packages Cream Cheese, softened

1-1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar

4 Large Eggs, lightly beaten

3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa

1 Cup Sour Cream

1/2 Cup Whole Buttermilk

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Distilled White Vinegar

2 (1-ounce) Bottles Red Food Coloring

1 (3-ounce) Package Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 Cup Butter, softened

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Garnish: Fresh Mint Sprigs

Stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Beat 3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese and 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar at Medium-Low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Add eggs and next 6 ingredients, mixing on Low speed just until fully combined. Pour batter into prepared crust.

Bake at 325-degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Then reduce heat to 300-degrees F. and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until center is firm. Run knife along outer edge of cheesecake. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven.; cool in a pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Beat 1 (3-ounce) package of cream cheese and 1/4-cup butter at Medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth. Spread evenly over the the top of the cheesecake. Remove sides of springform pan. Garnish, if desired.

Makes 8 to 10 servings

Prep: 20 minutes; Bake: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Stand: 1 hour; Chill: 8 hours