GPAC Cherry Cheesecake Bombs

I saw this posted on a forum I belong to- no recipe, just a picture that sparked a major drool fest. I decided to use a vanilla bean cheesecake base. The cheesecake filling recipe I used is below. I had some trouble with the chocolate; due to my laziness, I didn't want to temper any chocolate. In the end, I should have just gotten out good chocolate and tempered it because I ruined the first batch of store-bought chocolate I melted in the microwave because I added cream and it seized on me. The second batch was so dry and tough I stirred in some ghee to smooth it out; that made it perfect, but still.  I wanted to avoid shortening, because I didn't want to have to go to the store.

Give Peas A Chance Cherry Cheesecake Bombs

Maraschino cherries with stems
Vanilla bean cheesecake filling completely cooled- recipe follows
Chocolate to coat
2-3 teaspoons Ghee if you're not using a chocolate that will be tempered
Graham cracker crumbs (optional)

1. Drain the cherries on a paper towel and dry them as much as you can.
2. Take a scoop of cheesecake filling and mold it around the cherry.
3. Freeze these until firm.
4. Melt the chocolate and stir in the ghee so it's smooth, and dip the cheesecake bombs in it.
5. Place on a rack or wax paper to set. I placed some of them on top of graham cracker crumbs to set.

Give Peas A Chance Vanilla Bean Cheesecake 

(this made enough for the cherry cheesecake bombs and Buttermilk Cherry Cheesecake ice cream. We ate some also.)

3 packages of cream cheese (softened and NOT fat free)

1/2 cup sugar (I used Vanilla Bean Specialty Sugar)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup sour cream

2 eggs

1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth in a stand mixer. Or use a hand mixer. 
2. Add sugar, vanilla, flour, and extract. Beat well.
3. Beat in sour cream.
4. Beat the eggs in one at a time.
5. Pour into a pie plate and bake at 325 for about 40 minutes. I baked it a little longer to make sure it was firm enough for the ice cream and bombs.
6. See how ugly it is? That's because it doesn't matter if it's pretty; no need for a water bath, slow cooling, or anything to keep the top from cracking for this project.