Ham Cheesecake, Savory

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups oyster crackers finely crushed
  • 1 cup (4-ounces) Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/3 cup butter (may need more) melted
  • FILLING
  • 4 packages (8-ounces each; 32-ounces total) cream cheese softened
  • 4 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 cups ham, fully cooked finely chopped
  • 2 cups (8-ounces) Swiss cheese shredded
  • 1/3 cup chives minced
  • 1/4 cup basil, fresh minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • Assorted crackers to accompany

Preparation

Step 1

MUST REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT.
Prep: 35 min. Bake: 1 hour + chilling

In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Make sure binds well even if need to add more melted butter.
Set aside ¼ cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and 2 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. spring form pan.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined (mixture will be thick).
Add the ham, Swiss cheese, chives, basil, salt and pepper; beat just until combined.
Pour into crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 6O-70 minutes or until filling is almost set.
Turn oven off. Leave cheesecake in oven with door ajar for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.

Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

Yield: 24-30 servings.