Ingredients
Mint Sugar:
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons mint sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 cup mint sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime zest
- 1½ teaspoon Key Lime extract
- 1 ounce light rum, optional
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons mint sugar
- 1 tablespoons fresh lime zest
- ½ ounce light rum, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 ?F.
- Prepare the mint sugar. In a food processor, pulse the granulated sugar and mint leaves until the leaves have been ground down and combined with the sugar.
- Prepare the crust. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, mint sugar and butter until moistened and resembles the texture of wet sand. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan and press crumbs into the bottom of the pan and about one inch up the sides. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the filling. Using a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the cream cheese and sour cream until its light and fluffy. Gradually mix in the mint sugar and cornstarch. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lime juice, lime extract, zest, and rum (optional) until well combined. Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven with a pan half full of boiling water on the bottom rack of the oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the center is set. Turn off the oven and allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door propped open for about 30 minutes. (To prop the oven door, I use a wooden handled spoon to keep it ajar a few inches). Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool for an additional 30 minutes. Wrap well with plastic film and foil. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Carefully remove the sides of the pan by running a hot knife around the outside of the cake.
- When you are ready to serve, prepare the whipped cream. Using a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the chilled heavy cream on high until it just holds stiff peaks. Slowly sprinkle in the mint sugar until you reach a thick consistency. Add in the zest, rum (optional) and whip until combined.
- Pipe the whipped cream on top of the cheesecake and garnish with additional lime slices and mint leaves.
Recipe and Photo: The Culinary Chronicles / CC BY-ND
