Amaretto Chocolate Cheesecake
- 7 oz. Amaretti
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp. sweet butter
- 1 oz. chocolate, unsweetened
- 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
- 7 oz. Amaretti
- 4 oz. almond paste
- 1/3 cup amaretto liqueur
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 lb. cream cheese, (room temperature)
- 4 lg. eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Crust: Butter the sides only (not the bottom) of a 9-inch spring-form pan (about 2-1/2 to 3-inches deep).
- Grind the Amaretti very fine in a food processor or blender.
- Mix with sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Melt the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, stirring occasionally.
- Add the melted mixture to the Amaretti crumbs and sugar and mix thoroughly.
- (Don't wash the double boiler; you'll be using it again in a minute.)
- Turn the mixture into the prepared pan.
- With your fingers, distribute it evenly over the bottom and press it down into a very firm, compactlayer.
- Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
- Filling: Adjust rack 1/3 up from the bottom of the oven andpreheat to 350F.
- Partially melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler, then uncover and stir until completely melted.
- Remove the top of the double boiler and set aside to cool.
- Break the Amaretti coarsely into a bowl and set aside.
- Cut the almond paste into small pieces, and beat on low speed with an electric mixer, while gradually adding the Amaretto liqueur.
- Beat until thoroughly mixed and set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add sugar and beat until smooth again.
- Add the almond paste-Amaret to mixture and beat until thoroughly mixed.
- Add the melted chocolate and beat well again.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating at low speed until they are incorporated after each addition.
- Add the heavy cream and beatuntil smooth.
- Add the coarsely broken Amaretti and stir gently only tomix.
- Turn into the prepared pan, pouring the mixture over the bottom crust.
- Rotate the pan gently to level the batter.
- (Don't worry if the mixture comes almost to the top; it won't run over.)
- Bake 45 minutes.
- It will seem soft and not done, but don't bake anymore; it will become firm when chilled.
- The top of the cake is supposed to look bumpy because of the large chunks of Amaretti.
- Let cool completely at room temperature, then carefully remove the sides of thepan and refrigerate the cake (still on the bottom of the pan) for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
amaretti, sugar, sweet butter, chocolate, semisweet chocolate, amaretti, almond paste, liqueur, sugar, cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream
Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/1323 (may not work)