AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

By Silvermama

This is a rich dessert so I like to make the mini cheesecakes and have several different toppings available. It does seem that everyone's favorite is cherries. The origial recipe I had was my mother's; I added the Amaretto.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups finely crushed graham crackers 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbs all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp shredded lemon peel 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Amaretto

Preparation

Step 1

For crust, combine crushed crackers, nuts and cinnamon. Stir in margarine or butter. Reserve 1/4 cup of crumb mixture for topping, if desired. Press remaining onto bottom and about 2 inches up sides of an 8 or 9 inch springform pan.
In mixer bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and lemon peel. Beat with an electric mixer till fluffy. Add eggs and yolk all at once, beating on low speed just till combined. Stir in Amaretto. Pour into crust-lined pan. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Place on a shallow baking pan in oven. Bake at 3750 for 45 - 50 minutes for 8-inch pan; 35 - 40 minutes for 9-inch pan or till center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool 15 minutes. Loosen crust from sides of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more; remove sides of pan. Cool completely. Chill at least 4 hours. Serve w/fruit if desired.