This is a gorgeous cheesecake — perfect for a festive occasion as the fudgy, nutty-topping raises it to an extra level. Serve simply with a little ice cream or cream, or perhaps both.

Brandy & Almond Caramel Cheescake

Ingredient

For the base:

360 gr digestive biscuits crushed

95 gr dark chocolate drops

70 g butter

Method:

• Melt the chocolate and butter over a Bain Marie of water.
• Once melted and smooth add the biscuit and mix well.
• Press well into the sides of the tin first then the base smooth with the back of a spoon.
• Bake at 150 C for 10 minutes. (You can toast the pecan nuts at the same time — but may have to put the temperature up to 170 for a few minutes after taking out the base).
• Allow to cool and butter

the sides before filling with the cheesecake mix.

Cheesecake

450gr cream cheese

150gr sugar

60ml milk

115gr sour cream

30gr flour

15ml Brandy

2 eggs

Method:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the cream cheese, sugar and milk until smooth.
• Add the egg and beat again until the mix is smooth,
• Add the sour cream, and brandy, mix again.
• Finally sieve the flour into the mix and fold in.
• Pour onto the prepared cheesecake tin.
• Put a small ovenproof dish with a cup or two of water on the bottom shelf of the oven while baking the cheesecake.
• Bake @ 170 C for 50 min to an hour,
• It should be just set in the centre, a small wobble is ok.
• Remove from the oven and using a small sharp knife free the sides from the tin.
• Allow to cool and set fully before topping with the pecan fudge.

Pecan Fudge

112 gr butter

100gr soft brown sugar

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

85gr mascarpone

150gr whole almonds with skin roughly chopped and toasted.

Method:

• In a nonstick shallow pan over low heat, melt butter and brown sugar until bubbly (keep heat low to avoid burning butter).
• Stir in cinnamon, mascarpone cream, and salt stir to a smooth fudge like sauce and cook stirring all the time until thick and fudge like.
• Finally add the toasted roughly chopped almonds.
• Allow to cool slightly but don’t allow to set before pouring onto a spreading over the cheesecake.
• Allow to set up before you cut it up and serve.

If you would like to contact Mercy email info@wickeddesserts.ie