Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut...

Today's offering is from Epicurious.com.

 What's to say except, Yum!

Almond Joy Cheesecake

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted (about 2 ounces)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
• 1 tablespoon coconut extract
• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Glaze

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with foil.  If you use a 10-inch-diameter pan you do not need the foil. 

 

Finely grind cracker crumbs, coconut, almonds and sugar in processor. Add butter; process until moist crumbs form. Press mixture onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of pan. Bake crust until set and beginning to brown, about 12 minutes. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

        

For filling: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Mix in coconut and extract . Fold in almonds. Transfer filling to crust. Bake until cake is puffed and no longer moves when pan is shaken, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool completely on rack.

          

For glaze: Combine 1 cup chocolate chips, cream and vanilla in small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until smooth. Cool until glaze begins to thicken but can still be poured, about 30 minutes. Pour glaze over cooled cake; spread evenly. Chill cake overnight.

          

Run small knife around sides of cake to loosen. Release pan sides.