Begin preparing the dessert a day ahead.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 10
Ingredients
For topping
For crust
For filling
Preparation
Make topping:
Step 1
Combine dried cherries and reserved juice from thawed cherries in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cover; let steep 20 minutes.
Step 2
Mix cherry jam, brandy and cornstarch in small bowl to blend. Stir into dried cherry mixture. Add thawed cherries. Stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, about 1 minute. Cool slightly; chill until cold. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
Make crust:
Step 3
Finely grind almonds in processor. Add cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Process until clumps form. Press mixture onto bottom (not sides) of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Chill 30 minutes.
Make filling:
Step 4
Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Blend all ingredients except sliced almonds in processor just until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl several times. Transfer filling to crust. Bake until edges of cheesecake are puffed and center is just set, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven. Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake. Chill cake uncovered overnight.
Step 5
Release pan sides from cake. Transfer cake to platter. Spoon topping evenly over cake, leaving 1/2-inch border around edge. Garnish cake with sliced almonds.
