My birthday was this pass weekend, and my friend who lives in GA decided to do something special for me. Knowing that my most favorite cake of all time is Red Velvet, she sent me a new little treat to try: Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake, which she bought from the Cheesecake Factory down there.

I know that most of you don’ t want to make a trip to Nashville just to eat at Cheesecake Factory, so I came across a recipe that you can try at home,  yourself:

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted
• 1 tablespoon McCormick® Red Food Color
• 1 prepared chocolate crumb crust (6 ounces)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed just until blended.
• 2. Measure 1 cup batter into medium bowl. Stir in melted chocolate and food color. Pour into crust. Top with remaining (plain) cheesecake batter.
• 3. Bake 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack.
• 4. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

What’s your favorite kind of dessert?