CARAMEL CASHEW CHEESECAKE

Caramel Cashew Cheesecake image

When a friend served this luscious cheesecake at a birthday party, I left with the recipe. Every time I make it, rave reviews and recipe requests come my way. -Pat Price, Bucyrus, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h35m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped unsalted cashews, toasted
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
FILLING:
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
TOPPING:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup unsalted cashews, toasted

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan. Place on a baking sheet., In a small bowl, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cashews, confectioners' sugar and salt. Press onto the bottom and 1/2 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce heat to 325°., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and cream; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. hot water to larger pan., Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 65-75 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. , Before serving cheesecake, combine sugar and water in saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cover and boil 2 minutes. Uncover; boil until mixture is golden brown and a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), about 8 minutes. , Remove from heat. Stir in cream until smooth, about 5 minutes (mixture will appear lumpy at first). Add cashews; cool to lukewarm., Remove cheesecake to a serving platter. Spoon cooled caramel over cheesecake. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 507 calories, Fat 36g fat (18g saturated fat), Cholesterol 138mg cholesterol, Sodium 248mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein.