Sunshine Cheesecake
12 servings

3	cups finely ground ginger snaps
1/3	cup melted unsalted butter
2	tablespoons very finely minced orange zest
1	cup strained fresh orange juice
1/3	cup thinly sliced, unpeeled ginger
2	pounds room temperature cream cheese
2/3	cup sugar
1	tablespoon vanilla
1/2	pound melted, high-quality white chocolate
4	each eggs
4	cups water
2	cups sugar
3	each seedless oranges, very thinly sliced
fresh mint leaves, as garnish
 
Combine ground gingersnaps, butter, and 1/2 the orange zest, mix well.  
Press onto bottom and up sides of a spring form pan.  Combine orange juice and 
ginger in a saucepan, over medium heat.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 12 
minutes, until reduced to 3 tablespoons.  Strain well, set aside.  Combine cream 
cheese, 2/3-cup sugar, remaining orange zest, and vanilla in a mixer bowl.  
Process until well blended and very smooth.  Add strained orange juice mixture, 
mix well.  With mixer running on a low speed, add melted white chocolate in a 
thin, steady stream.  Beat on a medium speed until very well combined.  Beat in 
eggs, one at a time, until well combined.  Pour batter into prepared crust.  
Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, just until top is dry and sides have 
puffed up slightly (most of cheesecake will jiggle when shaken).  Remove to a 
rack to cool completely.  Cover and chill for 4-48 hours.  Combine water and 
remaining 2 cups sugar in heavy sauté pan, over medium heat.  Heat and stir 
until sugar has dissolved completely.  Bring to a slight boil and allow to 
simmer for 5-6 minutes add orange slices, one at a time.  Adjust heat so that 
only edges of pan bubbles.  Heat for 60 minutes.  Turn over top layer of oranges 
and heat for another 60 minutes.  Remove orange slices to cool on a sheet of 
waxed paper or parchment.  Simmer sugar syrup for 5-6 minutes, until thickened.  
Arrange orange slices on top of cheesecake in an overlapping pattern.  Brush 
with thickened sugar syrup.  Garnish with mint leaves.  Serve at room 
temperature.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving: Calories 777 - Calories from Fat 388
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 50%, Protein 6%, Carbohydrate 44%
Totals and Percent Daily Values (2000 calories): Fat 43g, Saturated Fat 25g, 
Cholesterol 178mg, Sodium 298mg, Total Carbohydrate 86g, Dietary Fiber 0g, 
Sugars 0g, Protein 12g, Vitamin A 1561 units, Vitamin C 37 units, Calcium 0 
units, Iron 2 units 

Copyright (c) 1997-2004 Salvatore's Kitchen.