Red Velvet Cheese Cake

Total Time: 11 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 9 hrs 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 55 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whole buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon distilled vinegar
• 2 (1 ounce) bottles red food coloring
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Recipe

• 1 stir together graham cracker crums, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• 2 beat 3 (8 ounce) 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.
• 3 bake at 325°f for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 300°f (do not open oven door), 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.
• 4 beat 1 (3 ounce) 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.