Coconut Cream Cheesecake

Photo: flickr user blmurch

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups grated fresh coconut

1 cup whipping cream (scalded)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

5 tablespoons plus 1 tsp. well-chilled butter, cut into ½ inch pieces

4 teaspoons sugar

20 ounces cream cheese

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs - 2 egg yolks

2 1/2 tablespoons coconut liqueur

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup cream of coconut

1/2 teaspoon coconut liqueur

Coconut flakes, lightly toasted

Preparation

Puree coconut with hot cream in blender until finely shredded, about 4 minutes. Cool while preparing crust.

FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter bottom of 10-inch springform pan. Blend flour, butter and sugar until mixture begins to gather together. Press evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Set on rack while preparing filling. Retain oven at 325 degrees.

FOR FILLING: Using electric mixer on low speed, beat cream cheese with sugar until blended. Mix in cooled coconut mixture. Blend in eggs and yolks 1 at a time. Mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons liqueur, lemon juice, vanilla and almond extract. Pour into prepared crust. Return to oven and bake until sides of cake are dry and center no longer moves when shaken, about 1 hour. Let cool on rack until depression forms in center (about 35 minutes).

Mix sour cream, cream of coconut and remaining 1/2 teaspoon coconut liqueur. Spread atop cake. Bake 10 minutes to set topping. Cool completely on rack. Refrigerate until cake is well chilled, about 4 hours. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Sprinkle coconut flakes on top.