What could be better for your holiday table than my Amethyst Cheesecake Torte, a delicious blend of blueberries and cranberries topping a creamy, rich, and smooth cheesecake.
When life becomes overwhelming, I take solace in my kitchen, finding my balance. And when I really need to cheer myself up, I bake. There’s just something so therapeutic about sugar and butter.
I saw this delicious creation on the cover of Palate magazine and knew I had to make it. It was a combination of cranberries and blueberries that the article referred to it as an Amethyst Pie because of the amazing color of the filling. I tried to recreate that pie, and even though I wasn’t too sure about the accuracy of the recipe, I followed it exactly. I have to tell you it was a complete failure…..sigh.
The worst part is as I was making it, I knew it wasn’t going to work, but hoping it would. Unfortunately, there was nothing to save from that failure, but it had possibilities!
So when things don’t go as planned, you adapt. I always have cream cheese in the fridge and whipping together a small cheesecake was easy enough to do. Opting for a traditional graham cracker crust for this torte, I added a little twist using chocolate graham crackers. They not only added a different flavor but a little contrast in color. (Don’t worry if you can’t find chocolate, regular graham crackers will work just as well)
Ingredients to make the Amethyst Cheesecake Topping
Making the topping first gives it time to fully cool. While fresh berries are always best, frozen make a good substitute.
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the mixture thickens and begins to boil. Keep stirring the mixture as it cooks.
Continue with a light boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer the berry mixture to glass, or ceramic dish; cool completely (mixture will thicken).
How do I make a chocolate crust for the cheesecake?
- Place chocolate graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and process into a fine meal. Place in a mixing bowl
- Add melted butter and mix together to make the crust
- Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the side of the deep 9-inch tart pan or springform pan
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes until firm. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
**If the mixture seems a little dry, add more melted butter. You should be able to form a crust.
How do I make Amethyst Cheesecake?
- Add the cream cheese to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat just until smooth.
- Slowly add in the granulated sugar, then scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Add the all-purpose flour, salt, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix for 2 -3 minutes until well blended and smooth.
Pour the amethyst cheesecake batter into the prepared crust and place the pan on the center rack of a350 degree F. preheated oven for 50-60 minutes.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
- When the cheesecake is completely cooled, add the cranberry-blueberry topping.
- Place the cheesecake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is better).
The combination of the cream cheesecake with a crunch of a chocolate crust goes so well with the sweet-tart cranberry-blueberry topping. I promise your friends and family are going to love my Amethyst Cheesecake!
La Cuineta Divertida
Is very good recipe. This is beautiful dessert. Sylvie.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
This sounds soooo fabulous!
fatpiginthemarket
Sugar and butter are definitely therapeutic. I’m in love with the colors in this dessert…and the flavors.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Gorgeous torte, I love the chocolate and cranberries!
Lynn
I know you made it through the first storm, now hope you make it through voting day and the second storm! (I know you will ๐ I’ve got a pile of pomegranates. Although they’d be Amethyst on the top, not sure about the crunch factor of the seeds. Have you ever used them on / in your desserts? I tell you, your desserts push my sweet tooth button! Guess I better get out on that bike ride I’d planned today (it’s 80F here…)
Chef D
hi Lynn
yes I have used pomegranate seeds but you really have to enjoy eating them, otherwise they end up on the side of the plate. now your just teasing me, 80’s….sigh
Jane
Chef Dennis, that is indeed a gorgeous dessert.
And, I know just what you mean. Like you, when I really need to cheer myself up, I also find solace in the kitchen and, invariably, I bake. I love visiting your blog, especially when you make sweets. ๐
RavieNomNoms
What a spectacular dessert!! I love all the glorious berries on top!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
This is a beautiful dessert to prepare during the holiday season.
Muna Kenny
I’m glad that you are safe and have survived this storm, I’ve seen how much damage it has caused and it wasn’t easy to watch.
Your creation looks so comforting to my soul, and I’m sure it tastes amazing.
Take care Chef!
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
I’m glad to hear you survived Sandy. I’m in northwestern NJ in the Highlands and lost power, cable, internet for 7 days thanks to uprooted evergreens landing on wires…everywhere. Thank goodness we installed a generator 2 months ago so we went relatively unscathed but many friends have passed through these doors this past week trying to provide food, shelter and showers for those still without power so I can attest to coming together in times of crisis. This cheesecake looks wonderful and I love the combination of blueberries and cranberries for the topping. Thank you for sharing!
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen
Glad to hear your area was not as badly affected by Sandy! This recipe is wonderful and the photos are out of sight! I love the chocolate crust and the cheesecake with fruit on top ~ oh my !! Thanks for sharing this recipe and for all the Google “plusses”, Chef Dennis!
Cher
I saw your picture of this last night – and wow…that is a beauty.
Glad to hear you are well through the storm – so many people’s lives in uproar right now. Keeping everyone Downstate and in affected areas in my thoughts.
Elin
Chef Dennis…saw this on facebook and I could not resist it by to drop by no matter how busy I am :p who could resist this anyway ! Cranberries are in season now and I still have two packets from last November in the freezer LOL! so I can afford to make this cheescake torte . Thanks for sharing the recipe and a prayer is said for those who have lost so much because of the devastating Sandy. Hope things will be back to normal soon.
Regards,
Elin
Brian @ A Thought For Food
I’m so glad that you’re safe. It sounds like an absolute mess down there… my thoughts are with you.
If there’s something to make you feel better, I think cheesecake could certainly do it.
Heather @ Bake, Run, Live
That looks gorgeous, Chef Dennis! I don’t really care for blueberries, but I would guess the tartness of the cranberries would keep the blueberry flavor in check.
I have already started to plan Thanksgiving dinner (and dessert!). Part of the dessert menu will include my cinnamon with candied pecan ice cream!