Secretly Sinful Coconut Shortbread Cheesecake Recipes

SLICE & BAKE COCONUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Stir in coconut., Using a sheet of waxed paper, shape dough into a 12x3x1-in. rectangle. Wrap in waxed paper; refrigerate 3 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 300°. Unwrap and cut dough crosswise into 1/4-in. slices. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are light golden, 18-20 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

TOASTED COCONUT SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Using an electric mixer and a medium bowl (or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until super light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Using a spatula, scrape down sides of bowl. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour, followed by 1/2 cup coconut and beat just to blend.
• Divide dough in half, then place each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Sprinkle each piece of dough with half of the cinnamon, then fold plastic over to cover dough and protect your hands from getting all sticky. Start to form into a log (this will give a subtle cinnamon swirl-like effect - if this idea stresses you out, you can also just add the cinnamon with the flour and coconut in step 2).
• Using your hands (just like you're playing with clay), form dough into a log shape; rolling it on the counter will help you smooth it out, but don't worry about getting it totally perfect. Each half should form logs that are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Chill until firm, at least 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet (two, if you've got 'em) with parchment paper. Brush outside of logs with egg wash. Roll logs in unsweetened coconut.
• Slice each log into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Dip each round on one side into sanding sugar (no need to egg wash, the sugar should just stick). Arrange on prepared baking sheet, sugar-side up, about 1 inch apart (they won't spread much). Bake cookies until edges are just beginning to brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating them all.

COCONUT CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap outside of 9 inch diameter springform pan with
• 2 3/4-inch high sides with foil. Mix graham cracker crumbs, 1 1/2 cups coconut, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and butter in small bowl. Press mixture onto bottom and up sides of pan.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add cream of coconut, cream, 1 cup coconut, vanilla extract and lemon juice and beat until well blended. Pour filling into crust. Bake until puffed and set in center, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Remove pan sides. Sprinkle remaining coconut around edge of cake.

SECRETLY SINFUL COCONUT SHORTBREAD CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a springform pan by lining the bottom plate with wax or parchment paper. Crush cookies well and blend with melted butter until a course crumb forms. Press cookie mixture into bottom of pan and set aside. Whip softened cream cheese with Splenda well. Add eggs (or substitute) one at a time, blending between each. Add vanilla and coconut extract and whip mixture well. Pour over cookie crust. Fill a baking pan with warm water, about one quart, and place in the bottom rack of the oven. Place cheesecake on middle rack and bake for 50 to 55 minutes until center is only slightly firm. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Run a warm knife around edges to loosen pan and remove sides of springform pan. For added panache, heat sugar free strawberry jam in a sauce pan. Pour warm melted jam onto a plate and top with a slice of the cheesecake. SINFUL! But guilt free!

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan. Place on a baking sheet., In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar and lemon zest; cut in butter until crumbly. Add egg yolks and vanilla, tossing with a fork until mixture pulls together., Press onto bottom and 1-1/2 in. up sides of prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned, 12-16 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in cream, flour, vanilla, lemon juice and zest. Add eggs and egg yolks; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan., Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove rim of pan. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add cranberry and lemon juices. Stir in 1 cup raspberries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter., Strain sauce; discard seeds. Cool to room temperature. Stir in the blueberries, blackberries and remaining raspberries. Serve with cheesecake.