Almond Cheesecake With Amaretti Crust Recipes

AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the Amaretto, extracts and salt. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 325° until center is almost set, 55-60 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Combine the sour cream, sugar and almond extract; spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer., Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

ALMOND CHEESECAKE WITH AMARETTI CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F Wrap foil around outside of 9 1/2- or 10-inch springform pan to prevent leaks while baking.
• In food processor, combine toasted almonds and 2 tablespoons sugar; pulse until finely chopped. Add amaretti crumbs and melted butter; pulse to mix. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom of pan. Set aside.
• In medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, flour and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add sugar mixture; beat until smooth.
• In medium bowl, lightly whisk egg yolks. Add egg yolks, sour cream, almond extract and vanilla to cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium-low speed just until well blended and smooth, scraping down bowl occasionally.
• In large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Slowly add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Gently fold whites into cream cheese mixture; pour into springform pan.
• Place springform pan in large, shallow roasting pan or broiler pan. Fill with enough hot water to come halfway up sides of springform pan.
• Bake 1 hour and 5 minutes or until edges are puffed and top looks dull and is dry to the touch. Center should be less set than edges and will move when pan is tapped. It should not ripple as if liquid. Turn oven off; leave cheesecake in oven with door closed 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Let stand in water bath 1 hour. Remove from water bath; cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 4 hours; cover and store in refrigerator up to 3 days.**.
• Just before serving, press almonds around side of cake.

LUSCIOUS ALMOND CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, almonds and sugar; stir in the butter and mix well. Press into the bottom of a greased 10-in. springform pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in extracts. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet., Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven; let stand for 5 minutes (leave oven on). Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon around edge of cheesecake; carefully spread over filling. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds and remove sides of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.

ALMOND CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat eggs to blend in small bowl. Combine cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup almonds, 1 1/2 tablespoons beaten egg and 1 teaspoon sugar in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until almonds are finely ground and crumb mixture holds together, adding more beaten egg by teaspoonfuls if mixture is crumbly. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish (crust will be thin). Bake crust until set, about 8 minutes. Cool while preparing filling.
• Beat nonfat and reduced-fat cream cheeses and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in remaining beaten eggs, then vanilla extract, lemon peel and almond extract. Gently spread filling in prepared crust. Bake cheesecake until puffed and firm to touch in center, about 40 minutes.
• Remove cheesecake from oven. Spread sour cream evenly over top; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup almonds. Cool cheesecake on rack 1 hour. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into wedges.

ALMOND-AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine first four ingredients. Press into bottom and 1 3/4" up side of a 9" springform pan which has been coated with coaking spray.
• In a large bowl beat beat together cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Lower speed to medium and add whipping cream., 1/4 cup amaretto and 1 teaspoon vanilla beating well.
• Pour into prepared crust and bake at 350 for 15 minutes and reduce over to 225 degrees, bake for 1 hour.
• Cool on rack for 5 minutes.
• Combine next 4 ingredients. Spread evenly on cake and cook additional 5 minutes. Cool, cover lightly and chill overnight.
• To serve, remove side of pan and garnish with almonds.