Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

I was really intimidated by this recipe at first (which I got from Mel's Kitchen Cafe), but it really ended up to be pretty easy.  I finally dropped the money for a springform pan, and I'm excited to do more cheesecakey stuff in the future.  I've made one change from Mel's original recipe - she has you press crumbs from one layer of the red velvet cake into the frosting at the side.  I did do this, but I don't think I will in the future.  I'm just going to do one red velvet layer at the bottom, cheesecake layer in the middle, one red velvet layer at the top, and then cover the tops and sides with the frosting.  This recipe makes oodles of frosting, so I don't think it will be a problem.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake

*Note: this cake can be assembled start to finish and refrigerated, well-covered, for up to two days before serving. If you don't have time to make it all at once, the cheesecake layer can be baked, cooled and frozen up to several weeks in advance.

*Serves 8-10

INGREDIENTS:

Cheesecake Layer:

2 (8-ounces each) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

2/3 cup granulated sugar

pinch of salt

2 large eggs

1/3 cup sour cream

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Red Velvet Cake Layer:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons natural, unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup (two 1-ounce bottles) red food coloring

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 (8-ounces each) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Make the cheesecake layer first so it has time to chill while the cake and frosting are being prepared. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. In a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Mix in the sugar and salt and blend for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition. Mix in the sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla and beat until smooth. Don't overbeat - just mix until smooth and creamy. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cheesecake for 40-45 minutes until it is set and not jiggly in the middle. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack until completely cooled. Wrap the pan in foil and place the cooled cheesecake in the freezer until ready to assemble.

For the red velvet cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round metal baking pans. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar. Whisk until fully combined, and continue whisking for another minute or two until the batter is thick and smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached (don't overbake or the cake layers will be dry). Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pans, then invert cakes onto a piece of parchment or wax paper set on a cooling rack. Let them cool completely.

Prepare the frosting, by whipping the cream cheese with an electric handheld mixer in a large bowl or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the butter and vanilla and mix. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix on high speed until it is light and fluffy and creamy.

To assemble, place one of the bottom halves in the middle of a serving platter or cake plate. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer. Gently loosen it from the sides and bottom of the pan with a flat knife/spatula that has been run through hot water (this will help loosen it from the pan). When removed, lay the cheesecake layer on top of the red velvet cake layer on the serving plate. Place the other red velvet cake layer on top of the cheesecake. 

Frost the cake by scooping dollops of the frosting on top of the cake and using an offset spatula, spread the frosting over the tops and sides. 

Cover the cake lightly (or else the cake crumbs on the side will dry out) and refrigerate until ready to serve. The cake can be made up to two days in advance and chilled until serving.