Holiday Cranberry Banana Cheesecake

[nverland]

Holiday Cranberry Banana Cheesecake

Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup margarine, melted
1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1-1/2 tsp cornstarch
3 packages (8 oz each) light cream cheese, softened
2 tsp lemon peel
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 extra-ripe, medium Bananas
3/4 cup light sour cream

Directions:
1. Combine cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and margarine. Pat on bottom and 3/4 the way up side of 9 or 10-inch spring form pan. Bake at 350°F, 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool.

2. Combine cranberry sauce and cornstarch in saucepan. Cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. Remove 1/2 cup for topping; set aside.

3. Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Puree bananas (1 cup); blend into cheese mixture. Spoon 2 cups cheese mixture into cooled crust. Spoon cranberry filling over. Cover with remaining cheese mixture.

4. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven. Combine sour cream and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar; spread over top. Spoon reserved 1/2 cup cranberry topping in center to form a circle. Gently swirl cranberry and sour cream. Return to oven 15 minutes more or until glaze is firm. Cool.

5. Run thin knife around inside of pan to loosen cheesecake; chill 6 hours or overnight. Remove side of spring form pan before slicing. Garnish with mint if desired.

6. NOTE: Recommend 9-inch spring form pan.




Cross-posted to carols_stuff, creative_cooks, recipe_comm, slashyhomemaker, Odd Little Bits