Eggnog Cheesecake with Caramel-Rum Sauce

Oh eggnog.

We have a love/hate relationship, me and eggnog. I hate actual eggnog, I think it's the thickness of the drink (or the thought of raw eggs) that turns me off. Just the thought of drinking it makes me want to gag; I can't stand the stuff. However: the smell and taste I enjoy, so if offered a slice of eggnog pound cake or ice cream or cookies, I can't resist. And that is how it was with was recipe: eggnog cheesecake? Sure! I'll give it a try.


I actually came across an eggnog cheesecake recipe here, but there are dozens more all over the Internet. Each seemed to have its own complaints (not enough eggnog, too much rum, crust was flavorless, etc.) so I took bits and pieces from several different recipes to come up with what you see below. It was rather good, too: creamy and filling as any good cheesecake should be, with the distinctive custard-y nutmeg flavor that eggnog is known for. The caramel-rum sauce is rich and thick and is just perfect as a topping drizzled over each slice.


Eggnog Cheesecake with Caramel-Rum Sauce





Ingredients:
1 c. ground gingersnaps
3 Tbsp. melted butter
3 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 c. white sugar
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. eggnog
2 eggs
2 tsp. rum extract
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Sauce:
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 c. water
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/3 c. packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. rum extract

Preheat oven to 325 F. In a medium bowl combine ground gingersnaps and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9-in. spring form pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Preheat oven to 425 F. In a food processor combine cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and eggnog; process until smooth. Blend in eggs, rum extract, and nutmeg. Pour mixture into cooled crust.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to 250 F and bake for 45 minutes, or until center of cake is barely firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and immediately loosen cake from rim. Let cake cool completely before removing the rim.

For the sauce:
In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp. butter. Stir in brown sugar and the cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and add 1 tsp. rum extract. Allow to cool.