Tropical Cheesecake With Coconut Shortbread Crust Recipes

TROPICAL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Spray bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan with baking spray with flour. Wrap foil around outside of pan to catch drips. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cake mix. In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix, the oil, 1 egg and lime peel with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press in bottom and 2 inches up side of pan.
• In same large bowl, beat reserved 1/4 cup cake mix, the cream cheese, sugar, cream of coconut and rum extract on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until mixed. Pour into crust.
• Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Turn oven off; remove cheesecake from oven and run metal spatula around edge to loosen. Return cheesecake to oven; open oven door at least 4 inches. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes (top may crack as it cools).
• Remove cheesecake from oven; place on cooling rack. Without releasing side of pan, run metal spatula around edge of pan again to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on cooling rack 2 hours. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve, run metal spatula around edge of pan again and remove side of pan. Arrange mango and kiwifruit on top of cheesecake. Sprinkle with coconut. Store covered in refrigerator.

NO-BAKE TROPICAL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust combine the cornflake crumbs, chopped nuts, ground flax seed and sugar. Place in a food processor and drizzle in butter while pulsing a couple of times until combine. Press into 8 inch square pan and bake at 375*F for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
• Put the pineapple in fine mesh strainer and drain, gently pressing on fruit to extract the juice. Reserve the juice and set aside.
• Place the cream cheese and ricotta cheese in a large mixing bowl. Blend on medium low speed of mixer until combined. Gradually add in sugar until incorporated. Fold in the well drained pineapple and toasted coconut. Spoon the cheese mixture into cooled prepared crust. Chill in refrigerator until set, at least 2 hours before serving.
• In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the rhubarb, reserved pineapple juice, sugar and about 1/2 cup of the strawberries. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender. Turn off heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in remaining strawberries and place in refrigerator to thoroughly chill.
• When ready to serve, cut the cheesecake into 9 squares, place each on a serving plate and spoon the chilled sauce over. Enjoy!