KUMQUAT AND CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Kumquat and Chocolate Cheesecake image

We have a variety of fruit trees in our yard, including an orange and a kumquat tree. When I was thinking of what to make with the fruit besides preserves, cheesecake came to mind. This treat has a classic Christmastime combination of chocolate and citrus. -Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h55m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

2-1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (about 50 cookies)
1/3 cup butter, melted
7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 medium navel orange
2-3/4 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons finely chopped kumquats (about 4)
Semisweet chocolate curls, sliced kumquats

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, combine gingersnaps and butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 8-in. springform pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling., Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth. Cool slightly., Finely grate enough zest from orange to measure 4 teaspoons. Cut orange crosswise in half; squeeze juice from orange. In a large bowl, beat ricotta cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in chopped kumquats, orange juice, zest, vanilla and cooled chocolate mixture. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until edges are lightly browned and top is dry to the touch (center 5 inches of cheesecake will not be set), 70-80 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled., Remove rim from pan. Top cheesecake with chocolate curls and thinly sliced kumquats.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435 calories, Fat 25g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 98mg cholesterol, Sodium 279mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 11g protein.