Fudge Truffle Cheesecake Pt 1

-CHOCOLATE GANACHE-
2 lb Bittersweet chocolate;
-finely chopped
2 c Heavy cream

FILLING
1/4 c Cornstarch
1/2 c Heavy cream
2 tb Vanilla extract
1 1/2 lb Cream cheese; softened
1 1/2 c Granulated sugar
4 lg Eggs; at room temperature

TOPPING
2 oz White chocolate; coarsely
-chopped

ASSEMBLY
Confectioners’ sugar (for
-dusting truffles)
Cocoa powder

YIELD: 12 servings DIFFICULTY: ** PREPARATION: 1 hour and 40 minutes plus
baking and cooling times.

Make the chocolate crust:

1.Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 325 F.
Remove the sides from a 10-by-3-inch springform pan. Trim a 10-inch
cardboard cake circle so that it fits snugly within the curved lip of the
bottom of the springform pan. Cover the circle with a piece of heavy-duty
aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang all around the edges Carefully
attach the side of the pan so you do not tear the foil . Wrap the foil
overhang halfway up the outside of the pan. (Lining the bottom of the pan
in this way will give the cheesecake an even flat base, making it easy to
remove from the pan.)

2.In a small bowl, stir together the cookie crumbs and melted butter,
stirring until well combined. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom of
the prepared pan. Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the ganache and
filling.

Make the ganache:

1.Place the chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan set over medium
heat, bring the cream to a gentle boil. Pour the hot cream over the
chocolate and allow the mixture to stand for 30 seconds to melt the
chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Measure out 2 cups of the ganache for the
cake filling and set aside. Measure out 1 cup of the ganache for the
chocolate truffles, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to pipe. Cover
the remaining ganache and set aside at room temperature.

Make the filling:

1.Place the cornstarch in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the cream and
the vanilla, and whisk until smooth.

2.In the 4 1/2-quart bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer using the paddle
attachment, beat the cream cheese at low speed for 30 to 45 seconds, until
creamy. Gradually add the sugar in a steady stream and beat at medium speed
until blended. At low speed, one at a time, add the eggs, beating well
after each addition. Slowly beat in the reserved 2 cups of chocolate
ganache. Beat in the cornstarch mixture. Pour the filling into the prepared
pan and, using a rubber spatula, smooth the top.

3.Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes,
or until the center is set. (There will probably be cracks in the top of
the cheesecake; they will shrink as the cheesecake cools and then will be
covered with the ganache frosting.) Turn off the oven. Prop open the oven
door with a wooden spoon and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven for
an hour.

4.Set the cheesecake in the pan on a wire rack and cool completely.

Make the chocolate truffles:

1.Transfer the chilled 1 cup ganache to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch
plain tip (such as Ateco #6). Pipe 1-inch mounds with pointed peaks onto a
clean baking sheet. Refrigerate or freeze the truffles for 15 to 20
minutes, or until just firm enough to roll.

2.Sift a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar over the truffles. Lightly
coat your palms and fingertips with confectioners’ sugar. With your
fingertips, pinch a truffle into a round, then roll it gently between your
palms into a round ball. Place the truffle on the baking sheet, and form
the remaining truffles into rounds. Refrigerate or freeze for about 10
minutes, just until firm.

3.Roll the truffles in sifted cocoa powder to coat. Refrigerate.

Decorate the cheesecake:

1.Run a thin-bladed knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it