Island Crunch Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep:45 min. Bake: 1 hour. + chilling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Sep. 30, 2022
Inspiring ideas come from many places, and often when we least expect them. I enjoy making cheesecakes for family and friends, and I came up with this recipe after eating ice cream on vacation. Featuring pineapple and coconut, this cheesecake will remind you of a trip to an island paradise. —Ellen Batenhorst, Omaha, Nebraska
Island Crunch Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 45 wafers)
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 1 tablespoon creme de cacao
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
  • SOUR CREAM LAYER:
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange liqueur (Grand Marnier)
  • TOPPINGS:
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon shortening

Directions

  1. Place a greased 10-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.
  2. In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan; set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.
  4. Remove half of the mixture to a small bowl. Fold in pineapple and coconut; pour into crust. Stir cooled chocolate and creme de cacao into plain cream cheese mixture; fold in chocolate chunks. Carefully spoon over pineapple layer, spreading evenly.
  5. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan. Bake at 325° until center is almost set, 50-60 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. For sour cream layer, combine all ingredients in a small bowl; spread over cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer.
  6. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack for 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
  7. Remove rim from pan. Sprinkle toasted coconut and macadamia nuts over cheesecake. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over top.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 618 calories, 42g fat (25g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 325mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.