LAVENDER HONEY CHEESECAKE

Lavender Honey Cheesecake image

I love the scent of lavender, and the edible flowers make this cheesecake one of the most spectacular I've tasted. You can use lavender honey in this recipe for extra flavor, but even without it, the lavender is very distinct. -Julie Palmer, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

4 tablespoons dried lavender flowers, divided
1/4 cup boiling water
1-1/2 cups crushed shortbread cookies (about 21 cookies)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup honey
1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
Lavender sugar and fresh mint leaves, optional

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons lavender and water. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain water, discarding lavender. Set aside., Crush remaining lavender flowers. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs, butter and crushed lavender. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes., For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and honey until smooth. Gradually beat in lavender water. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into filling. Spoon over crust., Refrigerate overnight. Run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; remove sides of pan. If desired, sprinkle with lavender sugar and mint leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 322 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 181mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.