Delightful Brie-Cranberry Cheesecake with Cardamom-Pear and Toffee Crunch

Ingredients

For the Brie & Cranberry Base:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 4 oz brie cheese, softened and rind removed
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp sugar

For the Cardamom & Pear Filling:

• 24 oz Norman's Kosher Cholov Yisroel Cream Cheese (3 containers), softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 large pear, peeled, cored, and diced

For the Toffee Crunch Topping:

• 1 cup toffee bits
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

For the Brie & Cranberry Base:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brie cheese, chopped cranberries, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until well combined.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

For the Cardamom & Pear Filling:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the Norman's Kosher Cholov Yisroel Cream Cheese and sugar together until smooth.
2. Add the vanilla extract and ground cardamom and continue to beat until well incorporated.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully mixed in before adding the next.
4. Fold in the diced pear.
5. Pour the filling over the prepared base in the springform pan.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
7. Turn off the oven, crack the oven door and let the cheesecake cool slowly in the oven for 1 hour.
8. Remove from the oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

For the Toffee Crunch Topping:

1. In a small bowl, combine toffee bits, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix well.
2. Sprinkle the toffee crunch mixture evenly over the top of the chilled cheesecake.
3. For an extra crunch, you can toast the topping in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes.

Serving

Slice and serve the cheesecake chilled, enjoying the unique combination of brie, cranberry, cardamom, and pear with a delightful toffee crunch topping.