CHERRY TOPPING FOR CHEESECAKE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 °. Pulse the cookies and sugar in a food processor until the mixture is very finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until set and dry, about 15 minutes. Let cool while you make the filling. For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat again. Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top and bake until the center just barely jiggles, about 25 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the pan sit in the oven for 15 minutes with the door ajar. Remove and let cool completely. For the topping: Combine the cherries, sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, partially cover and cook, stirring frequently, until the cherries are tender, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water until smooth. Add to the cherries, return to a boil and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Mound the cherries in the center of the cheesecake. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• To prepare crust, combine first 3 ingredients, tossing with a fork. Add 2 teaspoons water; toss with a fork until moist and crumbly. Gently press mixture into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
• To prepare filling, beat cheeses with a mixer at high speed until smooth. Combine 1 cup sugar, flour, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Add to cheese mixture; beat well. Add sour cream; beat well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; stir seeds into cheese mixture, reserving bean halves.
• Pour cheese mixture into prepared pan; bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cheesecake center barely moves when pan is touched. Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.
• To prepare topping, combine port, 1/2 cup sugar, cherries, and reserved vanilla bean halves in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes or until cherries are thawed and mixture is syrupy. Remove vanilla bean halves; discard.
• Combine juice, cornstarch, and 4 teaspoons water, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Stir cornstarch mixture into cherry mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened and shiny. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Cover and chill. Serve over cheesecake.