posted by Meryl 08-23-102 9:24 PM
Blackberry Swirl Cheesecake
Crust:
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups finely chopped walnuts or 1 cup finely chopped walnuts and 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
2 cups blackberries
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon blackberry brandy or rum
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
Preheat oven to 375 F (350 F for dark pans). Grease bottom and sides of an 8- or 9-inch springform pan
In a medium saucepan combine blackberries, the 3 tablespoons sugar, the cornstarch, and water. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 more minutes. Press mixture through a fine sieve; discard seeds. Stir in blackberry brandy or rum and 1/2 teaspoon orange peel. Cover and chill sauce.
For crust: Mix together 3 Tbsp melted butter and walnuts (plus vanilla wafers, if using). Press nut mixture onto bottom and about 2 inches up sides of an 8-inch springform pan or 1-3/4 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Set pan aside.
For filling: In large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined. Add eggs and egg yolk all at once. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in milk and orange peel.
Pour half of filling into springform pan. Drizzle half of blackberry mixture on top. Repeat with remaining filling and sauce. Use a spatula to gently swirl the filling and sauce.
Bake cheesecake on a shallow baking pan for 50 to 55 minutes or until center of cheesecake appears nearly set. Cool cheesecake in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small metal spatula, loosen crust from the sides of the pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove the sides of the springform pan. Cool the cheesecake completely, then chill for at least 4 hours.
Makes 12 to 16 servings.
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens