Cranberry Mocha Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafer cookies, crushed
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1-1/3 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• TOPPING:
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

• Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto the bottom and about 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Combine sugar and flour; add to cream cheese and mix well. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.
• In a small bowl, dissolve coffee in water; add cream and cinnamon. Stir into the cream cheese mixture just until blended. Pour over crust. Place pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.
• In a large saucepan, bring cornstarch and cranberry sauce to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool.
• In a small bowl, beat cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cheesecake. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until set.
• Carefully spread 1 cup of cranberry mixture to within 1 in. of edge; cover and refrigerate remaining cranberry mixture. Refrigerate cheesecake overnight. Serve with the remaining cranberry mixture. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Cranberry Mocha Cheesecake published in Taste of Home October/November 2003, p45