1.22.2009

Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

Did You Know? Milton Hershey did not initiate his chocolate empire with chocolate, but with caramel. The chocolate took off in his search for new coatings and toppings for his caramel candies.

It was my best friend's 22nd birthday the other week, so I knew I had to make something sweet and special to celebrate the occasion. She always goes above and beyond for me, so I really wanted to make something she would love. I remembered bringing her home dulce de leche cheesecake one year from The Cheesecake Factory, and how she completely loved every bite of it. She had never ordered that flavor, and it quickly became her new favorite. Upon remembering all of this, I knew I had to start my quest for the dulce de leche cheesecake recipe, or something very close to it.

I was surprised at how few caramel cheesecake recipes came up when I Googled it. There was an overload of caramel apple cheesecake recipes, but only a few plain old caramel ones. I noticed that Tarah, from Genesis of a Cook, had one posted, so I clicked on hers first, mainly because I like to support blogs I read, but also because all of her recipes are really amazing. "I remember the first cheesecake I ever had was a Caramel Cheesecake...at the Cheesecake Factory..." was how she started out, and I knew from there this was the recipe for me.


Although my camera doesn't like when I cook or bake at night, I love it, so I made this cheesecake a couple nights before the big day (I think the flavors develop so nicely when made a couple days in advance). I've made a lot of cheesecakes in the past, but none with my new Kitchen Aid, so I was really excited. I don't know if it's my undying love of this new mixer, but somehow it makes baking a whole lot easier.


Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

As for the cheesecake? I think it stole the show. Sorry Britt, but it was too good. Smooth, rich, and sweet, this cake was definately the crowd favorite. Blanketed by a layer of silky caramel, and flecked with buttery pieces of toffee, I don't think you could ask much more from a dessert.

So as you might have guessed, the cheesecake provided us with a solid stomach to combat our long night of bar hopping with. All in all, a perfect 22nd birthday if you ask me. Until next year...

Caramel Toffee Cheesecake
Crust
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling
2 lbs. cream cheese
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp. flour
4 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup toffee pieces

Caramel Sauce
1 cup sugar
6 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 2 tbsp. of sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 10 inch spring form pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

For the filling, mix the cream cheese and sugar with a paddle attachment on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Add in the flour on low speed. Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides and the bottom after each egg. Add the egg yolks and vanilla. Fold in the toffee pieces.

Wrap aluminum foil around the outside of the spring form pan, then pour the filling over the crust. Bake in a water batch for approximately 1 1/2 hours. A knife inserted should come out clean when cake is done. Cool the cheesecake to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. Don't remove the aluminum foil until you are ready to serve, and top with the caramel sauce.

Caramel Sauce
Heat sugar on high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2 quart sauce pan. As the sugar begins to melt, stir constantly with a whisk. As soon as the sugar crystals begin to melt (should be dark amber in color), add the butter to the pan (if you don't do this immediately, the caramel will taste burnt). Continue to whisk until butter has melted.

Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then pour over the cheesecake. You'll have a good amount, which you can serve alongside, or save for ice cream later on. Just microwave any extra caramel for a few seconds to loosen it up again (after being refrigerated).


Caramel Toffee Cheesecake

Try your luck at a few awesome giveaways from around the web:
Oh She Glows is having another Honest Foods Giveaway (ends today)
All About Cakes is giving away a Cake Decorating Set (ends the 30th)
Veggie Belly is giving away your choice of Malbec Jam or Dulce de Leche (ends the 24th)

36 comments:

  1. Wow, this looks SO yummy! I want to take a bite right through my computer screen. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW! Giving Cheesecake Factory a run for their money!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hayley, this cheesecake was amazing (I had 2 slices at Britt's birthday party!) Please make again soon :)
    <3Caitlin

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow is right! That middle looks perfectly cooked! I haven't had much luck with cheesecakes. You nailed this one perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow it looks amazing with the caramel sauce!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks very delicious! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stunning! Caramel just goes with everything, don't you think? :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my god. This looks fabulous! It must be just soooo divine. You have great photos. I enjoy drooling over them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That cheesecake looks and sounds so good!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Okay, when I first hopped over from tastespotting I thought wow, that really looks good but it was the last photo that truly got me drooling! YUM!
    ~ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks delectable. Picture perfect! Photos are fantastic as always!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Delish!! Sounds decadent, but so worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The ultimate sinful indulgence.
    Cheers,
    Elra

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the color, lighting and shadow in the first picture! What a beautiful slice of cheesecake!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Serious yum factor here---this gives a whole new meaning to the term decadent. I had no idea the Hershey empire began with caramel!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This looks beautiful, the caramel sauce really takes it to the next level!

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh my goodness! that looks so rich and sweet....and i'll bet really great with a cup of coffee. mmm, count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm making this as soon as humanly possible. By the way, I am friends with your Uncle Ed. I have a catering business and he directed me to your site. Very proud he is, and he's spot on.

    ReplyDelete
  19. God that looks crazy good. I'd eat it for breakfast right this second, I know for sure. Lovely picture too Hayley!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow that looks stunning! I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake, but I do love caramel and your photos make me want to go make one now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love your photo! I have white plates that look just like that :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I didn't know that about Hershey! The cheesecake looks decadent, and that topping sounds irresistible!

    ReplyDelete
  23. This looks absolutely amazing! Yum! Great Blog!

    ReplyDelete
  24. this cheesecake looks absolutely decadent...right up my alley. and i love this whole "did you know" thing, because i didn't know...love random stuff like that.

    ReplyDelete
  25. *crying tears of joy* Delish!

    ReplyDelete
  26. mouth watering..yummy...thanks for sharing this. im excite im sure my hubby will love this!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow, Does it get any better than Cheesecake!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This looks absolutely delicious, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The cake looks awesome!
    It seems that only plain and blueberry cheesecake are available in Thailand. I wish I could buy your caramel cheesecake from pastry shop here.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just got done making this yummy cheesecake. Oh my gosh, so incredibly easy to make and it tastes so good.

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is genius! I definitely have to bookmark this to try sometime soon. It's ironic- I was just talking with friends about Milton Hershey last night- just what you talked about. Great Job!
    http://homestyleworldcook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yumm this cheesecake looks and tastes amazing! Recipe works perfectly!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yummy my fav, thanks for posting this recipe, looks easy to make to.

    Simon

    ReplyDelete


Back to Top