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No-Bake Cheesecake Brain

No-Bake Cheesecake Brain

This No-Bake Cheesecake Brain is sure to scare all your guests on Halloween. It's gory, "bloody" and absolutely delightful! Serve up a slice!
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Freezing Time and Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Briain Mold 8.5" L x 7.25" W x 4" H
  • hand mixer
  • Medium sized sauce pan

Ingredients
  

Cheesecake

  • 2 1 oz packages of gelatin
  • 1/3 cup warm water
  • 12 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 drops red food coloring
  • baking spray with flour

Strawberry Filling/Sauce

  • 2 cups strawberries
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1-2 drops red food coloring for a brighter color

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp butter melted

Instructions
 

Cheesecake

  • Whisk the gelatin and warm water together. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  • Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until creamy.
  • Add granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, salt, and lemon juice and beat until smooth.
  • Add the heavy whipping cream, about a 1/2 cup at a time, and beat until light and fluffy.
  • Squeeze 3 drops of food coloring into the batter until it's light pink.
  • Pour in the gelatin and beat until combined.

Strawberry Filling/Sauce

  • In a sauce pan, over medium-high heat, combine strawberries, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the strawberries are soft but still holding shape. If desired add 1-2 drops of food coloring for a brighter, red color.
  • Strain the syrup and transfer the strawberries to a bowl and chill for about 10-15 minutes.
  • If syrup is not thick, return it to the sauce pan and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until thickened.
  • Chill syrup until ready to use.

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Melt the butter.
  • Add graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, cinnamon and butter to a small bowl. Mix together well. Set aside.

Assembly

  • Spray brain mold with baking spray with flour.
  • Pour half the cheesecake batter into the mold, leave a well in the middle and spread the batter up the sides. Make sure that there is approximately 1/2 inch coating up the sides of the mold.
  • Freeze the mold for about 10 minutes to let harden and set.
  • Add the strawberries to the center of the mold.
  • Spread remaining batter evenly over the strawberries and fill in any gaps.
  • Top mold with graham cracker crumbs, pressing down gently to create the bottom crust.
  • Place the mold in the freezer for 2 hours, until the mold is firm and almost frozen. After 2 hours, transfer the mold to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 additional hours.
  • Before inverting the mold, place the mold into a bath of hot water. Be careful not to get any water on the graham cracker crust.
  • After about 5 minutes, remove the mold from the water bath, wipe the water off, and invert onto a plate. Gently press down on the edges of the mold, to remove. This may take some elbow grease, but it will release. You may need to use a knife and gently run it around the edge to help release it from the mold.
  • Drizzle remaining strawberry sauce over the top of the mold to create a "blood" effect.
  • Slice and serve!
  • Enjoy!
Keyword "Bloody" treat, Brain Mold, Dessert, Gorey Halloween Treat, Halloween, Halloween Cheesecake, Halloween Desserts, No-Bake Cheesecake, No-Bake Cheesecake Brain, No-Bake Dessert