Pistachio Coconut Amaretto Cheesecake Food

PISTACHIO-RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 325˚. Spread the whole and chopped pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet (keep them separate) and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
• Set aside the chopped pistachios in a small bowl. Pulse the toasted whole pistachios in a food processor along with the shortbread cookies and granulated sugar until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture looks like wet sand. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch round springform pan. Bake until set around the edges and no longer puffed, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack; let cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the ricotta, pistachio paste, lemon zest, vanilla and almond extracts and salt and continue beating until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the green food coloring and beat until combined.
• Pour the filling over the crust. Bake until the cheesecake is puffed and the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a rack and let cool to room temperature, 2 to 3 hours. Run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen, then remove the springform ring. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight. Dust with confectioners' sugar and sprinkle with the toasted chopped pistachios before serving.

PISTACHIO AND COCONUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the first five ingredients; beat on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes; stir in coconut and toasted pistachios., Pour into two greased 8-in. round baking pans or a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Spread frosting over top of cake, and, if using round pans, between layers. Top with toasted coconut and pistachios. Refrigerate until serving.

AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the Amaretto, extracts and salt. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Place pan on a baking sheet., Bake at 325° until center is almost set, 55-60 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Combine the sour cream, sugar and almond extract; spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer., Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Combine all the ingredients into a paste. Press the paste onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan and refrigerate.
• For the cheesecake filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the almond paste, sugar, and flour in a food processor; beat until smooth. Place this into a mixing bowl and beat in one-third of the cream cheese at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes.
• For the topping: Combine the sour cream, amaretto, and sugar; mix well. Spread it evenly on the cheesecake and return the cake to the oven for an additional 20 minutes, or until set.
• Refrigerate 6 hours or over night; serve chilled.

AMARETTO RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Line a strainer or colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth or 1 coffee filter; place over a bowl. Place ricotta in prepared strainer; cover ricotta with sides of cheesecloth. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Remove ricotta from cheesecloth; discard liquid in bowl., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and amaretto. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and drained ricotta until smooth. Beat in amaretto mixture. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended., Pour into a greased 10-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake until center is almost set, 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Let stand 5 minutes on a wire rack., In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients; spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 5 minutes longer., Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim from pan., For garnish, place corn syrup in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, until warm, about 10 seconds. Add cranberries; toss to coat. Place sugar in a small bowl; add cranberries and toss to coat. Place on waxed paper and let stand until set, about 1 hour., Top cheesecake with almonds and sugared cranberries.

PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the flour and almonds; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 1-1/4 in. up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Reduce heat to 350°. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , Slice cheesecake; drizzle slices with chocolate syrup. Garnish with whipped cream and pistachios if desired.

COCONUT PISTACHIO COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Combine shortening, butter, white sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
• Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Beat slowly into the shortening mixture until thoroughly combined. Mix pistachios and coconut flakes into the dough using a large spoon or your hands until evenly distributed.
• Drop heaping spoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto 2 baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bottoms are a light golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.