WHITE CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE MOUSSE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. of the sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.
• Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hrs.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 Tbsp. water and 1 Tbsp. of the remaining sugar to boil in saucepan, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1 min. or until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour over chocolate in medium bowl. Let stand 30 sec.; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Cool. Beat whipping cream in medium bowl with mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream, in small batches, into chocolate mixture just until blended. Refrigerate 3 hrs.
• While chocolate mousse is chilling, cook remaining 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup of the remaining sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 min. or until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in cranberries. Use slotted spoon to transfer cranberries to wire rack; let stand 1 hr. Roll cranberries, in small batches, in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until evenly coated with sugar; place in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature until ready to use.
• Top cheesecake with chocolate mousse and sugared cranberries just before serving.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Adjust racks to center and lower-third position, and preheat oven to 350°. Line 3, 8” cake pans with parchment, and grease with cooking spray. Place chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and set over a pan of simmering water, ensuring bottom of bowl doesn’t touch water. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. 
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 
• In another large bowl using a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla. Add half of the dry ingredients and beat until just a few dry streaks remain. Add milk and sour cream, and beat until incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Divide batter evenly between cake pans, and smooth tops with an offset spatula. 
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, 28 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely. 
• Make the mousse: Place chocolate in a small heat-safe bowl. In a small pot over medium heat, heat ¼ cup cream until simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Refrigerate to let cool completely, about 10 minutes. Give the mousse a stir after about 5 minutes to make sure the chocolate isn’t hardening. 
• Meanwhile, place remaining ¾ cup heavy cream in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in cooled chocolate mixture until just combined. 
• Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, or in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain, then add in vanilla. 
• Make ganache: Place chocolate in a small heat-safe bowl. In a small pot over medium heat, heat ¼ cup cream until simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
• Assemble cake: Using a large serrated knife, level tops of cakes as needed. Place one layer on a serving dish, and top with half of the mousse. Smooth into an even layer. Top with a second layer of cake, then remaining mousse. Top with third layer of cake. 
• Frost top and sides with cream cheese frosting, reserving some to pipe onto top of cake, if desired. Spoon ganache over top of cake, and let drip down the side. 
• If desired, place reserved frosting into a pastry bag with a large open star tip, and pipe dollops around edge of cake. Sprinkle top with chocolate shavings.