Description
The White Chocolate & Almond Amaretto Cheesecake is a decadent dessert that perfectly balances rich, creamy white chocolate with the warm, nutty flavors of almond extract and amaretto liqueur. This elegantly simple cheesecake features a smooth texture and buttery graham cracker crust, ideal for special occasions or any time you want to impress guests with a luxurious treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
For the Filling
- 24 oz (680g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 8 oz (225g) white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream or sour cream, at room temperature
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Mix the crushed graham crackers with melted butter until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan to form an even, compact base. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling to help it set firmly.
- Melt the White Chocolate: Gently melt white chocolate over a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between intervals to prevent scorching. Allow it to cool slightly to avoid scrambling the eggs when incorporated.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: Beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth, fluffy, and lump-free for a silky filling.
- Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the melted white chocolate, almond extract, and amaretto liqueur. Mix carefully to achieve an even flavor distribution without overmixing.
- Add Cream and Pour: Gently fold in the heavy cream or sour cream to keep the batter airy. Pour the filling over the chilled crust, smoothing the top evenly for baking.
- Bake and Cool: Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 50–60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight wobble. Let the cheesecake cool gradually at room temperature to prevent cracks, then refrigerate overnight to develop full flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and cream for smoother mixing and fewer lumps.
- Choose high-quality white chocolate with higher cocoa butter content for better melting and flavor.
- Mix just until combined; overbeating introduces air that can cause cracks during baking.
- Consider baking the cheesecake in a water bath to maintain moisture and avoid cracking.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and texture to set beautifully.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: white chocolate cheesecake, almond cheesecake, amaretto cheesecake, creamy dessert, nutty cheesecake, gluten-free cheesecake