HONEY PECAN CHEESECAKE

Honey Pecan Cheesecake image

Birthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake, and Christmas is ideal for this particular one. In our annual church bake-off, it won first place! -Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 cup crushed vanilla wafers (about 30 wafers)
1/4 cup ground pecans
2 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons butter, melted
FILLING:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon maple flavoring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
TOPPING:
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, pecans and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Refrigerate. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Add the flour, maple flavoring and vanilla; beat until blended. Stir in pecans. Pour into crust. Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. , Place in a large baking pan. Fill larger pan with hot water to a depth of 1 in. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until center is just set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove foil. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool for 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , For topping, combine the honey, butter and water in a small saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add nuts; cook 2 minutes longer (mixture will be thin). Spoon over cheesecake. Carefully remove sides of pan before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 349 calories, Fat 23g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 90mg cholesterol, Sodium 165mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.