Coconut Cheesecake & Rhubarb Compote

  Desserts

I took my daughter’s love of cheesecake plus my mom’s love of coconut and rhubarb and ran with it. Try it with a smidge of chocolate sauce, too.

Coconut Cheesecake & Rhubarb Compote

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 55 min. Bake: 1 hour 20 min. + chilling
YIELD: 16 servings (3-1/2 cups compote).

Ingredients

  • 14 whole graham crackers
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted

  • CHEESECAKE:
  • 5 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 1-1/4 cups sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
  • 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

  • COMPOTE:
  • 6 cups chopped fresh rhubarb (about 1-1/2 pounds)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup orange juice or water
  • Additional toasted coconut, optional

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Place a greased 9-in. (3-in.-deep) springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Wrap foil securely around pan.
  • 2. Break graham crackers into quarters; place in a food processor. Add coconut and sugar; pulse until fine crumbs form. While pulsing, add melted butter just until blended. Press onto bottom and 1-1/2 in. up sides of prepared pan.
  • 3. For cheesecake, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Fold in coconut. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
  • 4. Bake until center is just set and top appears dull, 80-90 minutes. 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.
  • 5. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar and orange juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 7-9 minutes or until thickened. Cool slightly; transfer to a covered container. Refrigerate cheesecake and compote overnight, covering cheesecake when completely cooled.
  • 6. Remove rim from springform pan. If desired, press additional coconut onto sides of cheesecake. Serve with compote, warmed if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice with 3 tablespoons compote (calculated without optional coconut): 589 calories, 38g fat (23g saturated fat), 159mg cholesterol, 434mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.

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