Peach Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust Food

PEACH CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Make the crust: Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. Butter the inside of the pan and line the bottom with gingersnaps, breaking them as needed.
• Make the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, orange zest and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just combined, then beat in the peach nectar. Pour the filling over the crust and bake until set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely, then refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• Make the topping: Toss the peaches with the orange juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Spoon over the cheesecake.

GINGER-PEACH CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Wrap foil around outside of bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan to catch drips. In medium bowl, stir together crust ingredients. Press on bottom and 1 inch up side of pan.
• In large bowl, beat all filling ingredients except eggs and peaches with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in eggs until blended. Gently stir in peaches. Pour into crust.
• Bake 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until edge of cheesecake is set but center still jiggles slightly when moved. Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes longer.
• Remove cheesecake from oven; place on cooling rack. Without releasing side of pan, run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Cover loosely; refrigerate at least 6 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• In small bowl, mix topping ingredients. Carefully spread over top of cheesecake. Run metal spatula along side of cheesecake to loosen. Remove side of pan; leave cheesecake on pan bottom to serve. Store covered in refrigerator.

PEACH CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• For crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grind gingersnaps in processor to coarse crumbs. Add butter and blend until evenly moistened. Press crumbs over bottom and 1 inch up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Bake crust until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Cool on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
• For filling:
• Combine peaches, 2 tablespoons sugar, and lemon juice in heavy large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and peaches are juicy, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until peaches are tender and juices thicken, about 5 minutes. Cool compote.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon half of cheese mixture (about 3 cups) into crust. Spoon peach compote over by tablespoonfuls, spacing apart. Top with remaining cheese mixture.
• Place large piece of foil on oven rack. Place pan with cheesecake on foil. Bake until puffed, set in center, and beginning to brown, about 1 hour. Place hot cheesecake on rack; cool 5 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen. Place cheesecake, uncovered, on rack in refrigerator and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
• For glaze:
• Combine preserves and lemon juice in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until glaze comes to simmer. Strain into small bowl. Release pan sides; place cheesecake on platter. Spread glaze over top of cheesecake to within 1/4 inch of edge. Chill cheesecake until glaze sets, at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. Arrange peach slices in center of cake and serve.