RASPBERRY PUREE COCKTAILS RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the raspberries and Champagne in a mini food processor or blender (or use a jug and a hand blender). Whizz until the purée is as smooth as you can get it, then use a wooden spoon or spatula to push as much of it through a sieve as you can. Discard the seeds left behind.
• Put the cream and sugar in a saucepan and warm gently until the sugar melts. Increase the heat until just boiling, then boil vigorously for 2 1/2 mins, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat and stir in the raspberry-Champagne purée. Cool for 15 mins before dividing between 2 small pots or glasses. Chill for 30 mins, then sprinkle over the freeze-dried raspberry pieces and chill for at least 2 hrs more until set (or overnight if you’re making ahead).
• To serve, remove the possets from the fridge and add some shortbread biscuits (shop-bought or find shortbread recipes here on bbcgoodfood.com).

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and line the base of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking parchment. Tip the biscuits and freeze-dried raspberries, if using, into a food processor, and blitz to fine crumbs. Pulse in the butter to coat the crumbs, then tip the mixture into the prepared tin and press into an even layer using the back of a spoon. Chill until needed.
• For the filling, put the raspberries, lemon juice and 2 tsp caster sugar in a pan over a medium heat. Cook for 4-5 mins until the berries have softened and become juicy. Transfer to a food processor and blitz until smooth. Tip into a bowl and leave to cool. If you prefer a smooth purée, sieve the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and discard the pips.
• Beat the soft cheese using an electric whisk until loosened, then whisk in 175g sugar, the eggs, yolks, cream and vanilla until smooth. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl in the microwave in 20-second bursts, or over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Slowly pour a third of the sweetened soft cheese mixture into the melted chocolate, whisking continuously until combined, then pour that into the rest of the soft cheese mixture. Whisk until fully combined.
• Remove the tin from the fridge, and tightly wrap the bottom of the tin with foil to prevent any leaking. Sit the tin in a deep roasting tin. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the biscuit base. Spoon over the raspberry purée, and swirl it into the cheesecake mix using a skewer.
• Put the roasting tin in the oven, then pour enough hot water into the roasting tin to come 2½cm up the side of the cake tin. Bake for 1 hr 15 mins-1 hr 30 mins, or until the edge of the cheesecake is set, but the centre has a slight wobble (it will continue to set in the fridge).
• Put the tin on a wire rack, then run a small, sharp knife around the edge. Leave to cool completely in the tin, then chill for at least 6 hrs before removing from the tin.