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Cherry Pistachio Cheesecake with Tuile Leaves

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 c. butter melted
  • 1/4 c. granulated sugar
  • Cheesecake:
  • 4 - 8- oz. pkg. cream cheese softened to room temperature important
  • 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
  • 1/3 c. sour cream at room temperature
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • Cherry topping:
  • 1 can tart red pitted cherries
  • 1/2 c sugar
  • 11/2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • Juice of one lemon
  • Drop red food color
  • 1 tsp butter
  • Sour cream topping:
  • 1 c. sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 3 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

  1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Make the crust: Pour the graham cracker crumbs into a medium bowl and stir in cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan about 1". No need to grease the pan first. Pre-bake for 10 minutes. Allow crust to slightly cool while preparing the filling.
  3. Make the filling: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just blended. After the final egg is incorporated into the batter, stop mixing. To help prevent the cheesecake from deflating and cracking as it cools, avoid over-mixing the batter as best you can.
  4. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the pre-baked crust. Have a pan of boiling water on the bottom rack under the cheesecake. Bake for 55-70 minutes or until the center is almost set and a little jiggly. If you notice the cheesecake browning tent the top with a piece of aluminum foil. Turn the oven off and open the door slightly. Let the cheesecake start to cool in the oven for an hour with temperature off; then remove cheesecake to counter and finishing cooling to room temperature. Add the sour cream topping before refrigerating the cheesecake and allow to chill 4 hours - overnight.
  5. For cherry topping: Drain the cherries, reserving one cup liquid. Mix sugar and cornstarch. In small saucepan. Gradually stir in reserve liquid until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture bubbles. Cook one minute more until thick and clear. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and food coloring. Add in cherries and lemon juice pour into container and cool until room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve.
  6. Sour cream topping: Make sure cream cheese is room temperature beat with mixer, the sour cream, sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth and no lumps. Add to slightly cooled cheesecake and then refrigerate when cheesecake is room temperature.