RICOTTA CHEESECAKE WITH ALMOND-LIQUEUR GLAZED PEACHES

In my mind, there is nothing better than a slice of New York-style cheesecake.  Firm, cheesy, buttery and rich – it needs no topping, no adornment because it is sheer perfection.  Today's cheesecake,however, is not New York-style cake.  It’s made with ricotta, and even though flour is added to the batter, it doesn’t produce the characteristic firmness that New York-style cheesecake is known for.  Instead, the cake is light, yet rich and cheesy.  As our neighbors so aptly said the other evening when we dined together and ate this for dessert, “You can eat a nice slice of this and not feel like you’re weighed down for the rest of the evening.” 


Although my fave cheesecake will always be NY style, there is room in my heart for others, and this one has made its way in.  The filling contains some Amaretto (almond liqueur), and the peaches are heated in a skillet with peach preserves and more liqueur.  Almonds are in the crust also, and these flavors all blend well.  Everyone gave this dessert two thumbs up, way up.  Though it’s not my fave, I’m rating it highly because we all enjoyed it thoroughly and I would make it again.

Ricotta Cheesecake with Almond Liqueur-Glazed Peaches Adapted from Taste of Home Magnolia Dream Cheesecake Rating:  9 out of 10 Click for PRINTABLE RECIPE

Crust:  1/2 cup toasted almonds 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (I used my homemade crackers) 3 Tbsp. butter, melted Cheesecake Filling: 1 (15-oz.) container Part-Skim Ricotta cheese, room temperature 12 oz. Neufchatel cheese,  room temperature 1 (8 oz.) container lite sour cream,  room temperature 1 tsp. vanilla powder (or vanilla extract) Big pinch of sea salt 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. flour 2 Tbsp. almond liqueur (such as Amaretto) 3 large eggs, room temperature Glazed Peach Topping: 1/4 cup peach preserves or jam About 3 cups peeled, pitted, sliced ripe peaches 1/4 cup almond liqueur (such as Amaretto), or Peach Brandy Heat oven to 325F.  Place a greased 8-inch springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil.  Securely wrap foil around pan.    In work bowl of food processor, combine almonds and cracker crumbs.  Pulse till almonds are ground.  Add butter and pulse till well combined.  Press onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan.  Place pan on a baking sheet.  Bake 10 minutes, or till set and beginning to brown.  Cool on wire rack. Bring about 1-1/2 quarts of water to a boil; cover; off heat.  Increase oven temperature to 375F.  Wipe work bowl with damp paper towel.  Combine cheeses, sour cream, vanilla and salt.  Process till smooth and no lumps remain, scraping down sides and bottom in between pulses.  Add flour and liqueur; pulse till combined, about 5 seconds.  Add eggs, one at a time, pulsing about 5 seconds after each.  Pour into cooled crust.   (Please note:  This cheesecake will not rise and will not crack.)  Place springform pan inside a large baking pan; add 1 inch (about 1-1/2 quarts) of hot water to larger pan.  Place on center rack of oven; close door; reduce heat to 300F.   Bake about 1 hour 30 minutes, or until center is almost set and top appears dull.  Remove springform pan from water bath.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight. Next day, heat preserves and peaches in large skillet on medium heat till peaches begin to give off their juices and liquid starts to boil.    Turn heat to high and add liqueur.  Cook peaches over high heat till liquids start to reduce and peaches become tender.  Reduce heat back to medium and gradually transfer tender peaches from skillet to a wide bowl to cool.  (Place in refrigerator for faster cooling.)  Cook remaining liquid in pan till about 4 Tbsp. are left.  Reserve this for brushing on tops of peaches.  After peaches are cooled, arrange them over top of cheesecake, beginning with outer edges and working in towards center.  Pour any remaining liquid from peaches into the reserved glaze and stir together.  Brush over tops of peaches.  Carefully cut slices by using a very sharp serrated knife and gently cutting through peaches so as not to disturb their placement. Yield:  8-10 servings