“WINE-LICIOUS” PEACH CHEESECAKE

Second Place Winner

2014 Missouri Wine Just Desserts Contest
Tami Walk, Sedalia, MO

Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

7 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

2 (8-ounce) cartons mascarpone cheese

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup peach wine (such as St. James Peach Wine)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 peaches, sliced thin

Topping:

2 cups sliced peaches

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup peach wine

For crust: Place a greased 9-inch spring-form pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Tightly wrap the foil around the pan. Combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar in medium bowl;  stir in butter. Press mixture in the bottom and up the sides of pan. Bake in preheated 375-degree oven 9 to 12 minutes.  Let cool in pan. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

For filling: Combine cream cheese, mascarpone, 1 cup sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in large mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed of electric mixer until combined. Pour into cooled crust in pan.

Combine peach wine and 1 tablespoon sugar in bowl; stir to mix. Stir in peaches. Transfer mixture to a food processor fitted with the metal blade; pulse until smooth. Gently swirl peach mixture into the filling in crust.

Place foil-wrapped spring-form pan on a 15-by-10-inch jelly-roll pan; add 1 inch hot water to jelly-roll pan. Bake in preheated 325-degree 50 to 60 minutes, or until center appears dull. Let  cool on wire rack 10 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edge to loosen. Let cool 1 hour longer, then refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan before adding topping and serving.

For topping: Combine peaches, sugar and peach wine in medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thick. Let topping cool, then pour on top of chilled cheesecake.  Garnish with additional peach slices, if desired.

Yield: 1(9-inch) cheesecake.