Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Creme Brulee Cheesecake 

There are many reasons why I love cheesecake.  It's one of my favorite desserts to serve at a party.  Cheesecake is one of those desserts that not only can but needs to be made ahead of time.  And since making foods ahead of time is key to entertaining...cheesecake is a perfect fit!  Cheesecake is also really simple to make and they taste fantastic.  My favorite cheesecake pan has a glass bottom.  If you are using a pan with a metal bottom, line the bottom and sides with parchment paper for best results.

Crust:

18 chocolate creme filled cookies, finely crushed in food processor (equaling 1 ½ cups)

1/3 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Mix crushed cookies and butter and press into bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Place pan on baking sheet and place in hot oven. Bake 10 minutes.  

3, 8 ounce packages cream cheese

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

zest of 1 lemon

2 eggs

1 egg yolk

¼ cup milk

In electric mixer combine cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla and beat until fluffy.  Add eggs and yolk and beat on low until just combined. Add milk and beat 10 seconds.   Pour into crust. Place springform pan on large baking sheet and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.  Top may brown a little. Cool on wire rack.  Cover and refrigerate until set, at least overnight and up to a day or two.  Don't remove cheesecake from the pan just yet.  Before your event or before serving, sprinkle a few tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over top of cheesecake.  Turn broiler on in oven.  Place cheesecake under broiler for a minute or until brown sugar bubbles.  Watch cheesecake carefully under the broiler, or the sugar will burn.  This process may only take up to 60 seconds.  OR use a kitchen torch and melt the sugar until bubbly. Remove cheesecake from pan and top with fresh raspberries.