Baileys and Chocolate Cheesecake

This afternoon we are off to the annual drama group BBQ. We all take our own meat and then some of us take either a salad or a dessert and we have always enjoyed the event. I love the opportunity to make a dessert and usually go for something I wouldn't normally make for the three of us. This year's offering is no different. I have taken this cheesecake to other drama group events but absolutely love it, but don't dare make it unless I have an event to take it to as I would eat far too much!!! The recipe is taken from the BBC site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/baileysandchocolatec_72293 although I have adapted it. The springform pan I have is 22cm and the recipe 18cm. The quantities I used are listed below but if anyone wants to make it and has an 18cm pan use the quantities on the BBC site.

Baileys and chocolate cheesecake

125g butter
310g biscuits (the recipe suggests digestives, I used gingernuts this time)
740g Philadelphia cream cheese (full fat)
30ml Baileys (although I usually increase this to 50-60ml)
125g icing sugar
370ml double cream
125g grated chocolate (I usually use a mix of white and milk but use any variety)

To garnish
Recipe suggests whipped double cream and cocoa powder, but I've never used this. This time I crumbled a flake. Previously I have used homemade chocolate buttons (using Cadbury's chocolate), like the ones I used for the chocolate caramel cupcake, but you could use any decoration you fancy.

1. Crush the biscuits (I place in a large food bag and bash with a rolling pin)

2 year olds love doing the biscuit bashing!

2. Melt the butter in the pan and add the crushed biscuits, bashing any larger pieces left with a wooden spoon. Mix well until the biscuits have absorbed all the butter.

3. Remove from the heat and press into the bottom of a lined 22cm springform tin. Place in the fridge to set for at least an hour (I usually do this the day before).



4. Whip the double cream until thick (I used my electric hand mixer so took very little time.)

5. Grate the chocolate (I have never grated the chocolate I just bung it into my mini chopper, and although it comes out more like granules it's so much quicker and easier!)

6. Lightly whip the cream cheese, then beat in the Bailey's and icing sugar. I used my Kenwood kmix for this which I love, and was my 40th birthday treat. This meant I could use the shield so I didn't end up covered in icing sugar!

7. Fold in the whipped cream and grated chocolate (my kmix has a fold in setting for this so all done in the machine). When smooth, spoon evenly onto the biscuits.

8. If using a chocolate topping at this point I would decorate. So I crumbled my flake and sprinkled it over the top (barely resisting the urge to eat some chocolate). If using cream and cocoa powder I would wait until set and decorate not long before serving after removing from the tin. Once done, place in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours (again I made this the day before.)

9. Remove from fridge, carefully remove tin and silicone paper and serve (or in my case transport!)

Obviously there will be other lovely desserts at the BBQ but I am looking forward to having a small slice of mine too!!