Luscious Almond Cheesecake

This is a recipe from a taste of home "cheese baking contest". I made this today for a family renunion and it was very well received and it was quite wonderful, if i do say so myself. enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 14-16

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups  crushed  vanilla wafers
• 3⁄4 cup  finely chopped  almonds
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄3 cup  melted butter

• Filling

• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 4  eggs
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

• Topping

• 2  cups sour cream
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup  toasted sliced,  almonds

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine wafers, almonds and sugar; add the butter and mix well. Press into the bottom of a ungreased 10 inch springform pan; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts; beat just until blended. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven; let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla; spread over filling. Return to oven for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack; chill overnight. Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds and remove sides of pan. Store in the refrigerator.