Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote!

They say to save the best for last, so this Thanksgiving why not promote your sweet potatoes from a side dish to everyone's favorite, dessert!

Chef Laura Fortgang with Brookdale Solana Senior Living in Germantown is here to show us how.

• Brookdale Solana Germantown
• Senior Living Solutions
• 8199 Poplar Ave.
• (901) 266-4395

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

Served with a Cranberry Compote

Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 ¼       lbs.       sweet potatoes, raw, cleaned

1          cup      crumbs, graham cracker

2          tbsp.    butter, unsalted

2          oz.        cream cheese

12        oz.        sugar, granulated

2          ea.       eggs

½         tsp.      lemon extract

1          tsp.      vanilla extract

1          tsp.      nutmeg, ground

8          oz.        cranberry compote

1          oz.        whipped cream

8          ea.       sprigs of mint

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil the sweet potatoes in a sauce pot until they are tender. Approximately 25 minutes. Allow the sweet potatoes to cool. Mash the sweet potatoes to a smooth consistency, making sure the lumps are not present in the mashed sweet potatoes.
2. In a spring form pan, spray with food spray. Combine the graham crackers and butter.  Line the bottom with the graham cracker crumb and butter mixture. Make sure to firmly press the mixture to the bottom of the pan.
3. In a bowl or mixer, beat the cream cheese until it is fluffy. Add the sugar gradually and mix well. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all the cream cheese is combined. Add ¼ cup of eggs at a time, mixing well after each egg addition.
4. Once the eggs have been added to the mixture, add the mashed potatoes to the bowl, mix thoroughly. Add the lemon extract, vanilla and the nutmeg. Mix well, scrape the sides of the bowl and continue to mix.
5. Pour the mixture into the spring form pan with the graham cracker crumbs. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Place in the oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow to cool for at least 1 hour.
6. The cheesecake is best cut when it is completely cool. Slice the cheesecake into the proper portion size and into a wedge shape. Serve with a cranberry compote and whipped cream. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

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Cranberry Compote

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1          cup      water

2          cups     sugar

1          tsp.      cloves, ground

1          tsp.      allspice, ground

1 ½      tsp.      cinnamon

2 ¼       cups     cranberries

5          tsp.      orange zest

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine water, sugar, ground cloves, ground allspice and cinnamon in a small sauce pan. Place over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
2. Add cranberries and orange zest. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Hold at 40°F or below until ready for service. This can be served on top of the cheesecake or on the side.