Cherry Stout Cheesecake Recipe

Cherry Stout Cheesecake

What you need for Cherry Stout Cheesecake:

• 8oz sweetened dried cherries
• 2 cups stout ale (your favorite brand, of course)
• 1-1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• 24 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/8 tsp sea or kosher salt
• 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

What you do for Cherry Stout Cheesecake:

1. Place dried cherries in a bowl or tall glass. Pour stout over cherries until fully submerged. Allow to sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. In a food processor, add the pretzels and brown sugar, process until only crumbs remain, about 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly add the melted butter while the processor is running. Pour into the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch baking pan.
4. Use the flat bottom of a heavy glass measuring cup or mug to press the crust really well into a flat even layer.

To bake Cherry Stout Cheesecake:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cream cheese, beat on high until creamy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the sour cream and beat until well combined.
3. Add the salt, flour and sugar, mix until well incorporated.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla, one at a time, mixing well between additions.
5. Add 1/4 of the stout used to soak the cherries, mixing until just incorporated.
6. Stir in the cherries.
7. Pour cream cheese mixture over the crust, smooth out into an even layer.
8. Place in the oven and reduce oven temp to 350.
9. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes or until the cheesecake has puffed slightly and center no longer jiggles when you shake the rack it sits on.
   Don’t over bake cherry Stout Cheesecake; it will firm up once it chills.
10. Remove from oven (allow to stand at room temp until slightly cooled).
11. Refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 4 hours and up to 24. Cut into squares for serving.
12. Enjoy your Cherry Stout Cheesecake, of course with your favorite brew!