Cherry-glazed Cheesecake (my Great Recipes)

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup melted butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/3 cups cherry juice and water
• 3 drops red food coloring
• 2 cups drained canned cherries

Recipe

• 1 crust: mix together crumbs, sugar, spices and almonds. stir in butter, mixing well. press into bottom and slightly up sides of 10-inch springform pan. set aside.
• 2 filling: thoroughly beat all filling ingredients in food processor fitted with steel blade, scraping down sides occasionally. if using mixer, beat at least 10-15 minutes until well blended. pour into prepared pan. bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
• 3 remove from oven. cool for 5-10 minutes. mix together topping ingredients and pour over cake. return to oven. bake at 475 for 5-7 minutes. cool. cover. chill for at least 4 hours.
• 4 glaze:mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan, then stir in cherry juice. simmer over medium heat, stirring, until mixture comes to a boil. simmer 2 minutes. remove from heat and cool 5-10 minutes. stir in food coloring.
• 5 spread cherries evenly over chilled cheesecake. pour glaze over the top; chill until ready to serve.