Luscious Almond Cheesecake

  • 14

Ingredients

  • FILLING:
  • 1-1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 40 wafers)
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • TOPPING:
  • 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 cup toasted sliced almonds

Preparation

Step 1

In a bowl, combine the wafer crumbs, almonds and sugar; stir in the butter and mix well. Press into the bottom of an greased 10-in. springform pan; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in extracts. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet.
Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven; let stand for 5 minutes (leave oven on). Combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon around edge of cheesecake; carefully spread over filling. Bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds and remove sides of pan. Refrigerate leftovers.