MOCHA-RUM CHEESECAKE

  • 12

Ingredients

  • NUT CRUMB CRUST
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely ground almonds or other nuts
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon --
  • if desired
  • 6 tablespoons butter or margarine --
  • melted
  • FILLING
  • 2 Tablespoons instant coffee powder
  • 3 tablespoons boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons dark rum
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 (1/4-oz.) envelope plus 1 teaspoon unflavoured gelatin
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese
  • 4 eggs --
  • separated
  • 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
  • TO DECORATE
  • Walnut halves
  • chocolate curls
  • powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

1. Grease bottom and side of a 10-inch springform pan. Press crust into bottom of greased pan.

2. In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stir coffee, hot water and chocolate until smooth. Stir in rum and 2 tablespoons sugar. Cool Slightly.

3. In a small saucepan, combine gelatin and milk. Stir well. let stand 3 minutes. Stir over low heat until gelatin dissolves; cool to room temperature.

4. In a large bowl, heat cream cheese, remaining 3/4 cup sugar and egg yolks until blended. Gradually beat in cooled gelatin.

5. In medium bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Fold Whipped cream into cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold in beaten egg whites.

6. Spoon 1/3 of cheese mixture into a small bowl. Fold in cooled chocolate mixture. Fold walnuts or pecans into remaining plain cheese mixture.

7. Spoon nut-cheese mixture into crust-lined pan; smooth top. Spoon chocolate-cheese mixture in mounds on top of nut-cheese mixture. Gently swirl through both mixtures with a small spatula. Refrigerate several hours or until served.

8. To serve, run a knife around inside edge of pan. Remove side of pan; place cheesecake on a serving plate. decorate with walnut halves and chocolate curls. Dust chocolate curls lightly with powdered sugar. Makes 10 to 12 servings.