Cakes and Frostings

Irish Coffee Cheesecake

Cheesecake in any form makes a tremendous dessert, but when you add cocoa, fresh brewed espresso, ground coffee beans, and your favorite Irish cream liqueur, it sets a new standard. This elegant cheesecake is appropriately rich, balanced in flavor, and easily one of our favorites.

Prep

30 minutes

Cook

1 hour

Servings

12-16

Level

Medium

Crust

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon ground coffee beans
  • 1 Tablespoon cocoa
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) Challenge Butter
  • 1 egg yolk

Filling

  • 3 packages Challenge Cream Cheese, softened (8 ounce packages)
  • 1¼ cups sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1½ Tablespoons ground coffee beans
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup Irish cream liqueur
  • ¼ cup brewed espresso coffee
  • Optional grated chocolate curls and/or chocolate espresso beans for garnish

Crust

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • 2
    Combine flour, 1 Tablespoon ground coffee beans, cocoa, and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and mix until evenly moistened. (Mixture will appear rather dry.)
  • 3
    Spread mixture evenly in a 10-inch springform pan with 3 inch sides; then press firmly over the bottom of the pan and half way up the sides. Bake 8 minutes. Set aside.

Filling

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 450°F.
  • 2
    In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 1½ tablespoon ground coffee beans; beat until well blended.
  • 3
    Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream, Irish cream liqueur, and brewed espresso coffee.
  • 4
    Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes.
  • 5
    Reduce oven temperature to 250°F and continue baking for 50 to 55 minutes or until top is browned, edges have puffed; and the center is still slightly moist and jiggles when the pan is tapped.
  • 6
    With a knife loosen cake from rim of pan. Cool completely before unmolding.
  • 7
    Cover and refrigerate at least six hours before serving. If desired, garnish top with chocolate curls or chocolate espresso beans.