CHOCOLATE-GLAZED COCONUT ALMOND CHEESECAKE

Chocolate-Glazed Coconut Almond Cheesecake image

My idea was to make a cheesecake taste like my favorite candy bar, which has chocolate, coconut and almonds. This cheesecake also works in bite size. Use a mini muffin pan with muffin liners, fill 3/4 full and bake 15-17 minutes. Allow to sit and cool completely before topping with chocolate, coconut and almonds. -Keri Brammer, Lawton, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
1/3 cup butter, melted
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon coconut extract
3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
GLAZE:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional: Toasted coconut flakes and chopped almonds

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan., In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, coconut and almonds; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in coconut extract. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Fold in coconut. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of boiling water to larger pan. , Bake 45-55 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath; remove foil. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes; loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight., For glaze, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Cool slightly to reach a spreading consistency, stirring occasionally., Remove rim from pan. Spread glaze over cheesecake. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set. Top with toasted coconut and almonds if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 543 calories, Fat 42g fat (25g saturated fat), Cholesterol 149mg cholesterol, Sodium 308mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (27g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.