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Macadamia Brittle Cheesecake





Yields
Makes 20 to 24 servings

Notes: Retired chef Pat Allen of Pahoa, Hawaii, is a cheesecake genius who uses the Islands' macadamias in this lavish creation. If the nuts are salted, pour onto a cloth towel and rub briskly with the fabric before using.

 1 cup roasted macadamia nuts
 2 cups sugar
 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) melted butter or margarine
 4 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese
 4 large eggs
 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
 1 teaspoon lime juice
 1 teaspoon vanilla
 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon macadamia nut-flavor liqueur (optional)
 2 cups sour cream
Step 1
1

Coarsely chop nuts.

Step 2
2

Pour 3/4 cup sugar into a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan. Shake pan often over high heat until sugar melts and turns golden, 5 to 8 minutes; watch carefully. At once, stir in nuts, then immediately pour onto a 12- to 14-inch sheet of foil. With a spoon, press mixture to flatten slightly. Let cool, then break brittle into about 1/4- to 1/2-inch chunks. If making ahead, store airtight up to 3 days.

Step 3
3

In a 10-inch cheesecake pan with removable rim at least 2 1/2 inches tall, mix cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Press crumb mixture evenly over the bottom and 1 1/2 to 2 inches up sides of pan.

Step 4
4

In a bowl, beat cream cheese and eggs with a mixer until smooth. Add 3/4 cup sugar, lemon peel and juice, lime peel and juice, vanilla, and 1/4 cup liqueur; beat until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the nut brittle. Pour into crust-lined pan.

Step 5
5

Bake in a 325° oven until center barely jiggles when cake is gently shaken, about 1 hour.

Step 6
6

Meanwhile, mix sour cream with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon liqueur. Spoon onto hot cheesecake and gently spread to cover top. Return to oven and bake until sour cream is set when gently shaken, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Step 7
7

Run a thin-bladed knife between cake and pan rim. Refrigerate cake until cool, at least 3 hours. Serve, or cover and chill up to 2 days.

Step 8
8

Remove pan rim, sprinkle remaining nut brittle onto cake, and cut cake into wedges.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

Amount per serving
Calories339
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 25g33%

Saturated Fat 13g65%
Cholesterol 91mg31%
Sodium 213mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 25g10%

Dietary Fiber 0.3g2%
Protein 5.6g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.