DADS' FAVS: CHOCOLATE IRISH COFFEE CHEESECAKE, lower fat indulgence, kids opt, easy

Dads will adore this ravishing adult dessert and it's a little healthier than usual... 

Chocolate Irish Coffee Cheesecake

Sorry for this stock photo* but 67's decorative & photo skills were having a bad day. (An example of 67's decorating and photography skills on a good day is below)

'My all time favourite!' 'Really liked this.' Tasters 

first published 31/12/14

 67 has met very few chaps who didn't adore Irish Coffee with its punchy blend of whiskey and cream.  Add chocolate, as in this version specially created by 67, and it is even more delicious.  It will leave Irish Coffee lovers speechless with delight and disbelief.  

Delight because the combo of intense coffee, dark chocolate and a thick layer of rich blowsy cream is unbeatable.

Disbelief because it's skinnier - lower in fat and sugar.  Calories were reduced with 50% reduced-fat cream cheese (80% fat-reduced also works) and in some places whipping cream instead of double cream. 

Still, it is by no-means low calorie.  Or frugal.  But the 23 cm/9inch cheesecake provides at least 12-15 portions.  (Portion control is one aspect of healthy eating even on an indulgence day.)

The cheesecake is a doddle to make; it's a no-bake solution for a busy cook.  Several steps are involved but all of them are simple.  

The recipe halves nicely; a kids' version is in Tips below. 

The recipe was inspired by Morrisons' staff canteens, which created easily-assembled recipes for canteen cooks -- but they weren't lucky enough to get anything like this!  

Serves: up to 15

Cost: £9.00'ish (recipe halves nicely) 2021 prices

Ingred: 

13-15 plain or chocolate coated digestive biscuits, bashed with a rolling pin in a heavy plastic bag, or coarsely whizzed in a food processor, until gravelly; the mix should be nice and crunchy but without big chunks of cookie 

90 g unsalted butter, melted

300gm/10.5oz 50% (or 80%) reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1 pint/600ml double cream 

100g/3.5 oz dark chocolate, 70% cocoa chocolate for pref 

2-3 tablespoons expresso coffee powder mixed with 2 tbsp boiling water

3-4 tbsp whisky or brandy 

Topping:

approx 150 gms whipping cream

1 tbsp icing sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract (opt)

50 gm cocoa powder, or 70% chocolate, chilled and grated or peeled

Method:

1. Grease sides and base of a 23cm/9in loose-bottomed tin; line bottom with greaseproof paper cut to fit 
2. Mix biscuit rubble with melted butter; pour into tin, smooth with the back of a spoon or measuring cup.  Refrigerate.
3. Melt chocolate in a bowl over but not touching simmering water; take off heat; set aside.
4. In a large bowl, use electric beaters or a whisk to whip cream cheese until smooth. Add the pint double cream; on low speed beat until blended.  Increase speed until the mix starts to form soft peaks ...a minute or so.  Don't overbeat; it stiffens easily. 
5. Pour semi-cooled chocolate into the bowl.  Use a hand whisk or spatula to blend; the mixture should thicken, be soft but hold its shape.  (A few white streaks are okay.)
6. Blend in expresso mix and and alcohol; taste.  If not sweet enough, add icing sugar one tablespoon at a time. 
7. Pour onto biscuit base; smooth top.  Refrigerate several hours. 
8. If making a day ahead, refrigerate the base and the filling separately.  Allow to come to room temperature before assembling and decorating.
9. Just before serving, beat the topping cream until beginning to thicken.  Add sugar and vanilla.  Beat until soft peaks form.  Pour or pipe over the cheesecake 
10. Sift powdered chocolate or grate chocolate flakes decoratively over the cream. 
11. Remove sides of pan; transfer to a serving platter                                                              

*courtesy of Little Sweet Bakery 

67's Orange Cointreau Cheesecake
with white chocolate, cream  & oranges

Comments:
'My all-time favourite pudding' Retired writer
'I didn't get back from holiday until this had been in the fridge three days; I ate quite a lot of it, most enjoyably, with no ill effects.' Political Agent

Tips:  

• 2x150gm Philadelphia is occasionally on offer at Tesco 
• for a cinnamon-ey twist, try Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire whiskey; add 1 tbsp cinnamon to the expresso powder 
•  for children, substitute orange juice & orange zest for coffee and alcohol; serve layered with thin chocolate biscuits or crumbled shortbread in pretty glasses.
• A half recipe can be served from a loaf or rectangular tin.    

                           More lower-cal desserts on NavBar:Recipes II/Skinny

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These recipes have been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.