White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake with Sugared Cranberries

Prep

30-60 MINS

Total

5 HRS 10 MIN

Servings

16 Servings


Ingredients

1-1/2 cups

graham cracker crumbs

1/3  cup

butter or margarine, melted

2 cups

sugar, divided

1 tsp

vanilla

4 

eggs

1/4 cup

plus 2 Tbsp. water, divided

1 cup

heavy whipping cream

2 cups

fresh cranberries


Instructions

Step 1

Heat oven to 325°F.

Step 2

Combine graham crumbs, butter and 3 Tbsp. of the sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Step 3

Beat cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

Step 4

Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hrs.

Step 5

Meanwhile, bring 2 Tbsp. water and 1 Tbsp. of the remaining sugar to boil in saucepan, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1 min. or until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour over chocolate in medium bowl. Let stand 30 sec.; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Cool. Beat whipping cream in medium bowl with mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream, in small batches, into chocolate mixture just until blended. Refrigerate 3 hrs.

Step 6

While chocolate mousse is chilling, cook remaining 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup of the remaining sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 min. or until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in cranberries. Use slotted spoon to transfer cranberries to wire rack; let stand 1 hr. Roll cranberries, in small batches, in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until evenly coated with sugar; place in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature until ready to use.

Step 7

Top cheesecake with chocolate mousse and sugared cranberries just before serving.