Almond Joy Cheesecake

ORBaker's Note:

I took this recipe from a Bon Appetit recipe. I like to bake cheesecakes at a lower temperature than most recipes call for--so I lower the baking temperature, use a water bath for moisture and let the cheesecake cool more slowly in the cooling oven. You get less cracks and the texture is creamier and smoother.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

Crust

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• ¾ cup sliced almonds , toasted
• ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut , toasted
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• ¼ cup packed golden brown sugar

Filling

• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese , room temperature
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco López, Available in the drink mixers area of most national grocery stores.)
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut , toasted
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

Topping

• 5 tablespoons whipping cream
• 5 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1 1/3 cups)
• ¾ cup sliced almonds , toasted
• ¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut , toasted

Directions:

1. For crust: Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Wrap foil around outside of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides.
3. Grind the almonds in a food processor and add the toasted coconut and graham cracker crumbs or put the ingredients in a plastic zip bag and crush with a rolling pin until nuts and toasted coconut are finely ground and mix with crumbs.
4. Add butter and brown sugar to the processor to blend or blend ingredients in a large bowl until crumbs stick together.
5. Press crust mixture over bottom and 2 inches up sides of prepared pan.
6. Bake until set, about 10 minutes.
7. Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees and let crust and oven cool while you mix the filling.
8. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and extract in a large bowl to blend.
9. Beat in cream of coconut, shredded coconut and flour.
10. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until just combined.
11. Pour filling into crust.
12. Bake in a water bath until center is almost set, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
13. Turn oven off and let cheesecake cool slowly in the oven for another 30 minutes.
14. Transfer to a rack and cool for at least 30 minutes.
15. Cover and chill overnight.
16. For topping: Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in medium saucepan.
17. Remove from heat.
18. Add chocolate chips; whisk until smooth.
19. Cool to room temperature.
20. Pour topping over cake.
21. Sprinkle top with almonds and coconut.
22. Chill until topping is set, about 2 hours.
23. (Can be made 2 days ahead; covered tightly and refrigerated or it can be frozen for up to 2 weeks)

Reviews

[TaterBug! :)]

I made this cheesecake for a superbowl party and it was outstanding!! The only thing that I changed was to use 1 tsp of natural coconut extract instead of almond extract. I also thought next time I might try making this with a chocolate crust. Great recipe! Thanks for posting. It really did come out perfect!

[Chef #755141]

By far the best Cheesecake I've ever had! It also freezes, and thaws, extremely well for travel or shipping. ORBaker, you are truly a marvel!

[CIndytc]

Now this recipe was the big hit to my Sunday dinner...such a smooth rich cheesecake...a big hit...