Carrot Cheesecake

Name: Carrot Cheesecake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/3 cup butter, melted; FILLING:; 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1-1/4 cups sugar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 3 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon sour cream; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1-1/3 cups chopped carrots, cooked and pureed; TOPPING:; 1 cup graham cracker crumbs; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup butter, melted

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 65 min. + chilling YIELD: 12 servings.

My family loves this creamy make-ahead dessert. Unlike traditional cheesecake, I sprinkle a streusel topping over the filling. It needs to be refrigerated overnight and is well worth the wait. —Misty Wellman, Scottsdale, Arizona

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon sour cream
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/3 cups chopped carrots, cooked and pureed
TOPPING:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the cream, cornstarch, sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice and cinnamon. Fold in carrots.
3. Pour into crust. Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Place in a larger baking pan. Add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes until center is just set.
4. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over filling. Bake 7-10 minutes longer. Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 398 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.