Red Velvet Cheese Cake

This is a recipe posted by my sister on facebook. i am not sure where the original recipe comes from, but this is my mom's favorite cheesecake ever! if you love both red velvet cake and cheesecake, this recipe is for you. a red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with creamy cheesecake layer, and baked in a dark chocolate crust-making a wickedly-delicious combination.

Steps

Stir together graham cracker crums , melted butter , and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.

Press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Beat 3 packages cream cheese and 1 1 / 2 cups granulated sugar at medium-low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute.

Add eggs and next 6 ingredients , mixing on low speed just until fully combined.

Pour batter into prepared crust.

Bake at 325f for 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to 300f , and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is firm.

Run knife along outer edge of cheesecake.

Turn oven off.

Let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes.

Remove cheesecake from oven.

Cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes.

Cover and chill 8 hours.

Beat 1 package cream cheese and 1 / 4 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla , beating until smooth.

Spread evenly over top of cheesecake.

Remove sides of springform pan.

Garnish with fresh mint , if desired.

Ingredients

chocolate graham cracker crumbs, butter, granulated sugar, cream cheese, eggs, unsweetened cocoa, sour cream, whole buttermilk, vanilla extract, distilled white vinegar, red food coloring, powdered sugar, mint sprig