WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Melt white chocolate chips in microwave for 45 sec - 1 min stirring frequently until melted. Set aside to cool. Prepare a 10 inch springform pan. Butter insides and completely wrap outsides of pan with a double layer of heavy duty foil so water from water bath doesn't seep in and make your cheesecake soggy.
• 2. In food processor, put crust ingredients and pulse until almonds are finely chopped. Press into bottom and part way up the sides of springform pan. Chill crust in freezer while making cheesecake batter.
• 3. If you have a large enough food processor bowl, you can make the batter in it. Otherwise use a mixer. Beat creamed cheese until smooth, beat in sugar and eggs 1 at a time. Mix in heavy cream,melted white chocolate, sour cream, cornstarch and flavorings. Pour batter into chilled crust.
• 4. Make a water bath with a pan at least 2 inches bigger than cheesecake pan. Put the larger pan on center oven rack. Place cheesecake in middle and pour hot water in the large pan to 1/2 way up the cheesecake pan.
• 5. Bake cheesecake for 1 hour. While cheesecake is baking, stir together topping ingredients. Since all ovens vary, bake 10-15 minutes longer if after 1 hour it seems too jiggly to spread on the sour cream topping. Spread topping on top of cheesecake carefully and evenly. Bake an additional 15 minutes. Turn off oven and let it sit in oven undisturbed for 1 hour.
• 6. Carefully remove cheesecake from water bath and chill. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
• 7. I love to just put a bag of frozen bing cherries spread over the top. As they thaw they drip juice down into the cheesecake. Yummy. Or you can top this delicious cheesecake with your choice of fresh fruit or fruit topping or just serve plain. Enjoy!