You’ll need softened (room temperature) cream cheese in this recipe. If you don’t have enough time for it to get soft, you can soften it in a Double Boiler. This can be a chocolate cheesecake as well as a regular one, simply add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
I have a grain-free adaption on the other cheesecake recipe, but I figured I’d go all out and just post a new recipe. This is also sugar free, containing only a little bit of honey.
Almond crust:
2 cups sliced almonds
½ cup butter, grated
½ cup almond flour
You can use a 10” or 11” diameter round cheesecake pan, or a 9 by 13” one. The larger one will make thinner cheesecake, but it will work. I, personally, prefer a round spring form pan. Butter your choice of pan, set aside. Pour almonds into a separate bowl. Grate the butter (or cut into small slices) into the almonds. Blend them by hand. Pour the almond flour in and blend (by hand) it with the almonds and butter. Make sure all is completely blended, without chunks of butter. Dump mixture into pan, and spread out. Mash it onto the bottom of the pan. Cook until the butter is completely melted. Remove from the oven.
Cheesecake mixture:
2 pounds (4 packages)cream cheese
½ cup melted honey
5 eggs
3 tablespoons vanilla
Place cream cheese into a clean bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on medium low. As soon as the cream cheese is well-beaten, add the honey. Beat the honey in. When well blended, add one egg. Beat. Add each other egg, one at a time, beating after each one. Add the vanilla and beat. Scrape the cream cheese off the bottom of bowl. Beat one more time, then pour onto prepared pan with almonds and chocolate chips. Put it in the oven at 350 degrees. Cook for ten minutes, then, lower heat to 225 degrees. Cook for another hour. DON’T PEEK! After cheesecake has cooked for one hour, the cheesecake should feel firm and not jiggle when moved. If it isn’t firm, then continue cooking until it is.
If it is not done, cook for another fifteen minutes.
When the cheesecake is cooked turn off the oven and remove the cheesecake. Place a bowl on top of the cheesecake (this slows the cooling process and prevents cracking). After 45 minutes, remove the bowl and allow the cheesecake to cool for another twenty minutes before putting it in the refrigerator.
Top with whipped cream, berries, maple syrup, or topping of your choice.
I’ll have to try out the crust, sounds really good and creative.
My friend Natalene made this and brought it along on a visit last weekend. OMG, that is a great recipe! I’m making one this week as a gift for my boss who is retiring (and she isn’t even sensitive to gluten, but hey, this recipe rocks!). thanks.