VANILLA CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Vanilla Cheesecake With Chocolate Glaze image

A decadent cheesecake with vanilla flavor using a vanilla bean, and a fantastic chocolate glaze - a super recipe from Martha Stewart -

Provided by Chef mariajane

Time 2h

Yield 1 9-inch cheesecake

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

7 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11 crackers)
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split in half lenghtwise
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 pinch salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons heavy cream

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F
In a small saucepan, melt 5 tablespoons butter. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir in melted butter until crumbs are moist. Pour mixture into a 9-inch springform pan; press firmly, forming a 1/2-inch crust up sides of pan. Bake until set, 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.
Reduce temperature to 275°F In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add remaining cup sugar. Scrape in vanilla seeds; reserve pod for another use. Beat until well combined, about 3 minutes.
Drizzle in eggs, one at a time, stopping occasionally to scrape down bowl, Beat in sour cream and salt, Pour batter into crust.
Bake cheesecake until sides have set but center appears soft, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool. Run a paring knife around the ourside of crust, loosening it from pan. When cool, cover tightly with plastic; let set at least 4 hours or overnight.
To serve place chocolate, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and cream in top of double boiler, or a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, Srir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat; let cool slightly. Pour chocolate glaze over cheesecake; spread into a circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Chill just until chocolate has set, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 7224.7, Fat 589, SaturatedFat 357.3, Cholesterol 2241, Sodium 4079.1, Carbohydrate 434.7, Fiber 31.8, Sugar 294.4, Protein 133.6