*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                       ARIZONA SUNSET CHEESECAKE

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Kooknet                          Cyberealm
               Cakes                            Desserts

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                       (Shortbread Crust):
  1 1/2   c            Flour
    1/2   c            Finely ground pecans
    1/3   c            Sugar
  1       lg           Egg, separated
    1/2   c            Butter, softened
                       (Cranberry Glaze Filling)
  1       cn           Whole berry cranberry-
                       -sauce OR 2 cups cranberry
                       -orange relish
  2       tb           Sugar
  1       tb           Cornstarch
  1       tb           Grated lemon zest
  1       tb           Lemon juice
                       (White Chocolate Filling):
  1 1/2   c            Fresh orange juice
                       1-3 Inch x 1 inch piece-
                       -of orange peel
                       -(orange part only)
  4                    8 oz pkgs cream cheese
    2/3   c            Sugar
  1       tb           Grated orange zest
  2       tb           Cranberry Liqueur (such-
                       -as Crantasia Schnapps)
  8       oz           White chocolate, melted
  4                    Eggs
                       (Candied Oranges Topping):
  4       c            Water
  2       c            Sugar
  3                    Seedless oranges (unpeeled)-
                       -cut into paper-thin slices
                       (Garnish):
                       Whipped Cream

 Shortbread Crust: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Working on a
 large flat surface, such as a pastry board, place flour, pecans, and
 sugar in the center of the surface and mix together. Form a small
 depression or well in the center of the mound. Add the egg yolk and
 the softened butter to the well, then blend these with the dry
 mixture. Mix the ingredients thoroughly using your hands -- there is
 no substitute for warm hands. Shape the dough into a ball and wrap in
 plastic wrap. Chill for at least 10 minutes. Roll out the dough to a
 thickness of about 1/4-inch. You should have a circle of about 11
 inches in diameter. For best results, roll out your dough between 2
 sheets of waxed paper, then peel away the paper and cut the crust in
 a 9 inch circle. Place the circle inside a 9 inch springform pan.
 Prick the crust several times with a fork to keep the crust from
 puffing up during the baking. Place the springform pan in the oven
 and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until light brown. Allow to cool.
 Using the leftover dough, line the sides of the springform pan. Press
 the dough against the sides of the pan, smoothing it so as to have a
 continuous layer of crust all the way around the sides of the pan.
 Make sure that the side crust meets the bottom crust all the way
 around. Brush the reserved egg white onto the shell, covering the
 bottom and sides. This will seal the dough and keep it from becoming
 soggy. Set aside until ready to use.

 Cranberry Glaze Filling: Mix the sugar and cornstarch together in a
 small saucepan. Stir in the cranberry sauce. Cook over medium heat,
 stirring constantly, until thick. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon
 juice. Set aside to cool slightly.

 White Chocolate Filling: Reset the oven to 350 degrees F. Boil the
 orange juice and piece of orange peel in a heavy medium saucepan
 until the juice is reduced to 3 Tbsp - about 12 minutes. Remove and
 discard the strip of orange peel and set aside the reduced orange
 juice. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, grated
 orange zest, Crantasia, and reduced orange juice until smooth. Beat
 in the melted white chocolate and then the eggs, one at a time,
 beating just until combined. Pour the cranberry glaze filling into
 the prepared crust, spreading evenly. Pour the white chocolate
 filling over the cranberry layer and bake about 50 minutes (the top
 will be dry and the sides puffed slightly - the center will not be
 set). Move cheesecake to a wire rack and cool completely to room
 temperature. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.

 Candied Oranges Topping: Cover a wire rack with waxed paper. Set
 aside. Combine the water and sugar in a heavy shallow wide skillet.
 Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes
 longer. Add the orange slices 1 at a time and adjust the heat so that
 the syrup bubbles only around the edges of the pan. Cook the oranges
 for one hour. Turn over the top layer of oranges and cook until the
 oranges are translucent and the orange peels tender, about another
 one hour longer. Lift and drain each orange slice out of the syrup,
 and arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared rack. Let
 dry 1 hour. Boil the orange-sugar syrup until thick, about 6 minutes.

 Loosen and remove the sides of the springform pan. Set the cheesecake
 on a serving dish. Overlap the candied orange slices around the top
 of the cheesecake. Reheat the orange syrup, if necessary, and brush
 over the orange slices. Drizzle any remainder over each serving.
 Garnish: whipped cream
 NOTE: You may substitute grapefruits for the oranges in the Candied
 Oranges Topping if you prefer.



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