Praline-Crusted Cheesecake |
|
 |
Prep Time: 60 Minutes Cook Time: 120 Minutes |
Ready In: 180 Minutes Servings: 12 |
|
This was featured in Southern Living magazine as Dessert of the Month . It is described as a buttery cookie-and-praline crust beneath a dense, creamy filling. I would agree. I love cheesecake and it is one of the best I have made. It was also very beautiful. I know that this is a pretty detailed recipe, but it is worth the effort for a special occasion. Ingredients:
2 cups crushed shortbread cookies (about 28 cookies) |
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, melted |
4 pralines, coarsely crumbled |
5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened |
1 3/4 cups sugar |
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract |
4 large eggs |
2 egg yolks |
1/3 cup whipping cream |
1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind |
2 (8 ounce) containers sour cream |
1/3 cup sugar |
butter |
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar |
3/4 cup sugar |
3/4 cup half-and-half |
3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine |
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped pecans |
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract |
Directions:
1. Cheesecake: Combine cookie crumbs and butter.
2. Press into bottom and up sides of a greased 10-inch springform pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for approx 8 minutes.
4. Cool on a wire rack.
5. Sprinkle coarsely crumbled pralines over crust.
6. Beat cream cheese at medium speed with a heavy duty electric mixer until creamy.
7. Gradually add 1 3/4 cups sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating until smooth.
8. Add eggs and egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
9. Stir in whipping cream and lemon rind.
10. Pour in crust.
11. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
12. Bake at 350 degrees on lower oven rack 10 minutes.
13. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees, and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until almost set.
14. Cool on wire rack 1 hour.
15. Stir together sour cream and 1/3 cup sugar; spread over cheesecake.
16. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
17. Cool on wire rack.
18. Cover and chill 8 hours.
19. Remove sides of pan.
20. Garnish, if desired with pralines.
21. Pralines: Butter bottom of a heavy 3-quart saucepan.
22. Cook brown sugar and next 3 ingredients in saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugars dissolve; stir in pecans.
23. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 238 degrees (soft ball stage).
24. Remove from heat.
25. Stir in vanilla; let stand 3 minutes.
26. Beat with a wooden spoon 3 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
27. Working rapidly, drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper.
28. Let stand until firm.
|
|