Butterscotch Cheesecake

Saturday, November 9, 2013 Add Comment Edit

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I've been searching for a new dessert to serve for the holidays and I finally found one that makes my socks go up and down. I can't wait to share it with my family and friends and I think that those of you love the flavor of butterscotch and the creamy texture of cheesecake are in for a real treat. This cake is really special. While it is very rich, when served in small portions it's a wonderful way to end a special meal. The recipe is straightforward, and, like all cheesecakes, this one is very easy to make. The only caution I have to share with you regards its propensity to stick to the pan. The springform pan you use must be well-greased and the cake itself should be released from the sides of the pan with a knife about ten minutes after it is taken from the oven. The trick here is releasing the sides of the cake without removing the springform ring. The soft cake needs a thorough chilling to firm, so I leave it in the pan to assure it keeps its shape and is not unduly nicked or gouged while in the refrigerator. This cake freezes well and can be made a week or so before it is to be served. That's always good news for the holiday hostess. For best results, the frozen cake should be allowed to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. I really hope you'll give this recipe a try. I'd love to have your feedback on this one. Here is how the cake is made.

Butterscotch Cheesecake...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Taste of Home magazine

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup cold 2% milk
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, lightly beaten
Optional garnish: whipped cream and crushed butterscotch candies

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place a well-greased greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18-in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.
2) In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
3) In a small bowl, whisk both milks and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set.
4) Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in pudding and vanilla. Add eggs and beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large roasting pan. Add 1-inch of hot water to larger pan.
5) Bake for 65-75 minutes or until center is almost set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Remove ring and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with whipped cream and
butterscotch candies if desired. Yield: 12 servings.