pat's Recipe

Amaretto-Irish Cream Cheesecake

Category: Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup blanched whole almonds, toasted and
finely chopped
1/4 cup butter
1 Tbsp amaretti liqueur
3 (8-oz) pkgs. soft cream cheese
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/3 cup blanched, whole almonds, toasted and
ground
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
1/4 cup amaretto
1 1/2 cup cups sour cream
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Cimbine first 4 ingredients; firmly press evenly on bottom of cheesecake pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Beat softened cream cheese at high speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1 cup of sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in whipping cream and next 3 ingredients; pour into pan on crust.
Bake at 350 for 50 minutes. Turn oven off and leave in oven for 30 minutes.
Combine sour cream, 1 Tbsp sugar and vanilla; stir and spoon over the cake. Sprinkle 1/4 cup almonds around edge. Bake at 500 degrees for 5 minutes. Cool. Chill.

serves 12