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greek honey sesame cheesecake

(1 RATING)
27 Pinches
sally_sibthorpe avatar
Shelby Township, MI
Updated on Feb 15, 2013

I originally made this cheesecake for a greek friend. It's based on the traditional greek huliday candy called halvah. Even for people who aren't greek, it's a tasty dessert!

prep time 20 Min
cook time 1 Hr 30 Min
method ---
yield 8-12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • CRUST
  • 2 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • CHEESECAKE
  • 4 packages cream cheese (8 oz)
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 - large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon peel
  • 4 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed butter)
  • TOPPING
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 cup apricot nectar
  • 1 - strip lemon peel (about 2 inches)

How To Make greek honey sesame cheesecake

  • Step 1
    For crust: Preheat oven to 325°F. Generously butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Double-wrap outside of pan with heavy-duty foil. Blend cracker crumbs, melted butter sesame seeds. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until crust sets, about 10 minutes. Cool. Keep oven on.
  • Step 2
    For filling: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in sugar, honey, and salt, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sgreek yogurt. whipping cream, lemon juice, lemon peel, and tahini.
  • Step 3
    Pour filling into crust. Place springform pan in large pan. Pour enough boiling water into pan to come 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake cheesecake until filling is set and golden brown on top, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Turn off oven and prop open oven. Let cake stand in oven 1 hour (cake will fall slightly, and that’s ok).
  • Step 4
    Remove springform pan from water bath. Remove foil and cool cheesecake completely. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Release pan sides from cheesecake, and transfer cheesecake to a serving plate.
  • Step 5
    While cake is chilling, mix topping ingredients in a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove lemon peel. To serve, spoon topping over cheesecake slices. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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