BEST MAPLE-CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

Best Maple-Cranberry Cheesecake image

This maple cheesecake recipe may look intimidating, but it's not. If you make one holiday dessert, this is the 5-star dessert to showcase. -Tonya Burkhard, Davis, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h45m

Yield 16 servings (2 cups compote).

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
FILLING:
1-1/2 cups maple syrup
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
COMPOTE:
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., Combine cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and cinnamon; press onto the bottom and 1-1/2 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°., Meanwhile, place maple syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until syrup is reduced to about 1 cup. Cool to room temperature; set aside., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, flour, vanilla, salt and cooled syrup. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan., In a large saucepan, combine cranberries, syrup and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until berries pop, about 10 minutes. Serve warm with cheesecake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 284mg sodium, Carbohydrate 66g carbohydrate (53g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.