Robiola Cheesecake with Shortbread Crust
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup rice flour
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dried fruit, such as cherries, apricots, figs and dates
- 6 ounces fresh Robiola cheese (see Note), without the rind, at room temperature
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 3 tablespoons apricot nectar
- 2 tablespoons sherry
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- Preheat the oven to 325.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the all-purpose flour, rice flour and salt and beat just until combined.
- Quickly beat in the dried fruit.
- Pat the dough in an even layer 1/4 inch thick on the parchment paper.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the shortbread is barely golden.
- Transfer the baking sheet to a rack and let cool.
- Increase the oven temperature to 375.
- Break the shortbread into small pieces and transfer to a food processor.
- Pulse until fine crumbs form.
- Generously butter a 9-inch nonstick springform pan.
- Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and 1/3 inch up the side of the pan.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the Robiola cheese with the cream cheese until smooth.
- Beat in the sugar and vanilla seeds, then add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well between additions.
- Beat in the sour cream, apricot nectar and sherry until blended.
- Beat in the cornstarch.
- Pour the filling into the crust.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 325 and bake for 15 minutes longer, until the center of the cake is still slightly jiggly.
- Transfer to a rack to cool, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold.
unsalted butter, sugar, vanilla, allpurpose, rice flour, salt, dried fruit, robiola cheese, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla bean, eggs, sour cream, apricot nectar, sherry, cornstarch
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/robiola-cheesecake-with-shortbread-crust (may not work)