Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake

This is the cheesecake recipe that I made with the dulce de leche.  It gets rave reviews.  Follow all the tips, especially the tip about not beating in the eggs too much. It makes a huge difference in whether or not the cake cracks.  This recipe was taken from www.finecooking.com. 

Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake

Serves ten to twelve

Ingredients:

Crust

8 oz. graham crackers, finely crushed (2 cups of crumbs)

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling

3 8 oz. packages cream cheese, at room temperature

¾ cup dulce de leche

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Table Salt

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs, at room temperature

Sauce

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

1.        Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2.       In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.  Mix in the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moist and clump together slightly. Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch springform pan and press evenly into the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the pan (to press, use plastic wrap or a flat-bottomed measuring cup).  Bake until the crust is fragrant and slightly darkened, 9 to 12 minutes.  Let the pan cool on a rack.

3.       Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

4.       In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, dulce de leche, flour, and a pinch of table salt on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle frequently, until very smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Make sure the cheese has no lumps.  Add the 1-1/4 cups granulated sugar and continue beating until well blended and smooth.

5.       Add the vanilla and beat until blended, about 30 seconds.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until blended.  (Don’t over beat once the eggs have been added or the cheesecake will puff too much and crack as it cools.)  Pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth the top.

6.       Bake at 300 degrees F until the center jiggles like Jell-O when nudged, 55 to 65 minutes.  The cake will be slightly puffed around the edges, and the center will still look moist.  Set on a rack and cool completely.  Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.  The cake can be frozen at this point for up to 1 month (see make-ahead tip, below).

7.       In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the ½ cup granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons water and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear, 2 to 3 minutes.  Increase the heat to medium high and cook without stirring until the sugar begins to turn golden-brown on the edges.  Gently swirl the pan over the heat to even out the color, and cook until the sugar turns golden-amber, 3 to 5 minutes.  Off the heat, carefully add the cream, butter, and a pinch of table salt.  Cook, whisking constantly over medium-low heat until well blended and smooth.  Set aside until the caramel has cooled, about 15 minutes.

8.       Unclasp and remove the side of the springform pan and run a long, thin metal spatula under the bottom crust of the cheesecake.  Carefully slide the cake onto a flat serving plate.  Pour the caramel topping onto the cheesecake and spread evenly.

9.       To cut, run a thin knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and cut the cake into slices, heating and wiping the knife after every slice.

Make Ahead Tips:

To freeze, put the unmolded, cooled cake on a rimmed baking sheet in the freezer, uncovered, until the top is cold and firm; then wrap it in two layers of plastic and one layer of foil.  Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

 Enjoy!

The Creative Cook