Spiderweb Cheesecake

Name: Spiderweb Cheesecake
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6-8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 envelope unflavored gelatin; 1/4 cup cold water; 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 chocolate crumb crust (8 or 9 inches); 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips; 1 tablespoon butter

The trick to this tempting treat is pulling a toothpick through rings of melted chocolate to create the web effect. "This no-bake cream cheese pie goes together quickly and tastes delicious," assures Jan White, Plainview, Nebraska. "It's fun to serve, too, because it never fails to draw comments."

Ingredients

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 chocolate crumb crust (8 or 9 inches)
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute. Heat gelatin; stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in cream, vanilla and gelatin mixture until smooth. Pour into crust.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Transfer to a heavy-duty resealable bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe a circle of chocolate in center of cheesecake. Pipe evenly spaced thin concentric circles about 1/2 in. apart over filling. Beginning with the center circle, gently pull a toothpick through circles toward outer edge. Wipe toothpick clean. Repeat to complete web pattern. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.

Originally published as Spiderweb Cheesecake in Quick Cooking September/October 2003