How to Make Your Own Milk Chocolate Masterpieces for Valentine's Day

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

12 Feb 2009 02:35 PM

What did you ask your sweetie to get you this Valentine's Day? Diamonds? A romantic dinner for two? A massage?

Since requests aren't always granted (depending on the particular sweetie involved), you might want to brace yourself for a bar (okay, a box) of chocolates and a pat on the back. If you are lucky, your honey will honor you with a slice of Emeril Lagasse's Milk Chocolate Cheesecake. If you are really lucky, you won't have to make it yourself. Either way, the recipe is provided below along with the directions for mouthwatering milk chocolate cookies sealed with a kiss.

EMERIL LAGASSE'S MILK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Ingredients:

1 cup Oreo cookie crumbs

1 cup Nilla Wafer crumbs

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

3 pounds cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

6 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup melted milk chocolate

2 cups fresh raspberries

Juice of one lemon

Whipped cream in a pastry bag with star tip

Fresh mint sprigs

Chocolate curls

Powdered sugar

Cocoa powder

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cookie crumbs and the butter together.

Mix well and press into a 10-inch springform pan.

In a food processor, with the metal blade, mix the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and blend. Add the eggs one at a time to thoroughly incorporate into the cheese mixture. Add the heavy cream. Add the flour, salt and vanilla and blend until smooth. In a steady stream, pour in the melted chocolate.

Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the cake is set.

Remove from the oven and with a knife loosen the sides from the pan. This will prevent the cake from splitting down the center.

Completely cool the cake before cutting.

FOR THE SAUCE:

In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients together and allow to sit for 2 to 3 hours.

ASSEMBLY:

Place a piece of the cake on the plate.

Spoon the raspberries over the top.

Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate curls, mint sprigs, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder.

CHOCOLATE KISS COOKIES

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Additional sugar

5 dozen Hershey Kisses, unwrapped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda.

Add butter and peanut butter and mix until smooth. Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Make even balls of dough.

Roll in sugar.

Bake 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes.

Remove from oven and add 1 chocolate kiss to the center of each cookie. Return to the oven and bake for 2 more minutes.

Allow to cool before serving.

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Red-Hot Valentine's Day Recipes

Simple Sweet Treats for Valentine's Day

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Mint Chocolate Treats for Valentine's Day

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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