Welcome to a culinary adventure that promises to delight your taste buds and elevate your dessert experience to a whole new level. Today, we’re diving into the world of sweet and salty harmonies with a dessert that’s sure to become a new favorite: the Bacon Bourbon Caramel Cheesecake. This unique cheesecake combines the rich, creamy texture of classic cheesecake with the unexpected twist of crispy bacon, all brought together with a hint of bourbon caramel. It’s an indulgent treat that perfectly balances the contrasting flavors, creating a memorable dessert experience.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1½ cups of graham cracker crumbs (9-10 full-sheet graham crackers)
- 6 tablespoons of butter, melted
- ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake:
- 32 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature (4 packages – 8 oz each)
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups of sour cream, room temperature
- 8 tablespoons of butter, room temperature (1 stick)
- 1½ cups of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons of bourbon caramel syrup
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
For the Toppings:
- Bacon, cooked until crispy and rough chopped
- Chocolate-caramel sauce
Directions:
Preparing the Crust:
- Begin by blending graham crackers into fine crumbs. Mix these crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture is moist and holds together.
- Press this mixture into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 10″ springform pan. This forms your crust.
- Freeze the crust to set it while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
Making the Cheesecake:
- Start by wrapping the bottom and sides of the springform pan with foil. This is to prevent water from seeping in during the baking process.
- Preheat your oven to 300ºF (150ºC).
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Then, add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next.
- Mix in the sour cream, granulated sugar, cornstarch, bourbon caramel syrup, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the filling into the prepared crust and place the pan in a larger baking dish. Fill the larger dish with hot water, creating a water bath for the cheesecake. This helps it bake evenly and stay moist.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the cheesecake is lightly browned and set.
Finishing Touches:
- Once baked, allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate it overnight to ensure it sets perfectly.
- Before serving, top the cheesecake with the crispy, rough-chopped bacon and a generous drizzle of chocolate-caramel sauce.
Serving Suggestions:
This Bacon Bourbon Caramel Cheesecake is a showstopper dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly extraordinary. Pair it with a cup of your favorite coffee or a glass of bourbon on the side to enhance the flavors even further.
With a prep time of 20 minutes and a cooking time of about 2 hours, this recipe yields 12 servings, making it ideal for gatherings or family dinners. Dive into this delicious dessert and enjoy the unforgettable combination of flavors that make the Bacon Bourbon Caramel Cheesecake a masterpiece of culinary creativity.