Rum Raisin Cheesecake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

For the Crust

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 egg
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

For the Raisin-Phyllo Layer

1/2 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons dark rum
Phyllo pastry sheets
1/4 cup butter; melted (1/2 stick)

For the Cheesecake

4 blocks of cream cheese, 8 oz each; room temperature
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs; room temperature
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (optional - see note section)

For the Caramel Topping

1/3 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablsespoons dark corn syrup
5 tablespoons unsalted butter


Directions:

General Prep

1. Soak the raisins in rum overnight.
2. Tightly wrap a 10-inch springform pan in heavy duty foil. This step prevents leaks when using a water bath. You can also take the extra step of placing the foil wrapped spring form pan inside an oven bag while baking.

For the Crust

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Gradually mix in flour. Cover and chill dough for 2 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll chilled dough out on lightly floured surface to thickness of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Cut out 10 inch circle to fit into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Brush 4 to 5 phyllo sheets with melted butter and arrange sheets, buttered side up, over the dough in the pan covering the bottom and sides (allowing phyllo to overhang sides).
4. Drain raisins and sprinkle over phylo.

For the Filling

1. Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine sugar and cream cheese and cream together until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Make sure to scrape down the bowl in between each egg. Add heavy cream, vanilla and optional pumpkin pie spice and mix until smooth.
3. Pour batter into prepared crust. Place pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan.
4. Fold overhanging phyllo over filling, separating ends of phyllo and pulling to form a rough, jagged “crown”.
5. Bake 45 to 55 minutes. The edges will appear to be set, but the center will still have some jiggle to it. At this point, close the oven door, turn the heat off, and let the cheesecake rest in the cooling oven for one hour.
6. After one hour has passed, carefully remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Once the cake is completely cooled, place it into the fridge for at least 5 hours.

For the Caramel Sauce

1. Melt butter in heavy saucepan.
2. Stir in brown sugar, cream and corn syrup. Increase heat and bring to boil.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
4. Drizzle over cooled cheesecake when ready to serve to avoid getting soggy.

Notes:

- The pumpkin pie spice is optional to add some autumnal flavors. If you aren't into pumpkin pie spice, leave it out - the cheesecake is just as delightful without it.
- The quick caramel sauce used is this recipe will thicken upon sitting. Since I recommend adding the caramel sauce just before serving, you will need to warm the caramel in the microwave for about 45 seconds before drizzling.
- If you don't want to make your own caramel, simply use a good store bought sauce - it'll be just fine