Magnolia Dream Cheesecake Recipe

By pattie_d

"This is the best cheesecake you will ever taste!" You'll love the light, creamy texture bursting with peach and hazelnut flavor. Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach,

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted, divided
• 12 whole graham crackers
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1-1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur, divided
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 medium peaches, sliced

Preparation

Step 1

Place a greased 10-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.
Place hazelnuts in a food processor; cover and pulse until coarsely chopped. Set aside 1/4 cup for garnish. Add graham crackers and sugar to food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. Add butter; process until blended. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, beat the ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream and sugar until well blended. Beat in flour and 2 tablespoons liqueur. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
Bake at 325° for 1-1/2 hours or until center is just 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.
Toss peaches with remaining liqueur; arrange over top of cheesecake. Sprinkle reserved hazelnuts in the center. Remove sides of pan. Yield: 16 servings.