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!
Tonya Wilhelm
This torte sounds perfect for the holidays. I love a good cheesecake.
Gisele
This cheesecake not only looks beautiful but sounds absolutely delicious. Thank you for this recipe.
Amber Myers
I am drooling. I just LOVE cheesecake, and this one looks amazing. And it’s pretty. I must try it soon.
Jeanette
There is not one person in my family that would hate this! We all love cheesecake anyway, but this one looks especially delicious.
Theresa
You can never go wrong with cheesecake! I’ve never put cranberries on mine, but definitely trying your recipe for the holidays. It’s so pretty and festive, and looks delicious too!
Sarah Bailey
I have really got into cheesecake over the past year or so, so this right up my street – it sounds like it would be absolutely amazing! I need to try and make one myself.
Melissa Chapman
I do love a good cheesecake and the topping of those great berries looks amazing. I know I would be the hit of Thanksgiving if i bring this.
Alli Smith
I’m over here drooling and wishing I had a bite. I love the color and cheesecake is a favorite dessert. I like that you used chocolate graham crackers to give it a different taste. Yum!
candy
I always make a cheesecake for every occasion. It is a favorite of one of my sons. He would enjoy this one very much.
Supriya Kutty
Iโve been wanting to make these forever! My hubs is a huge cheese cake fan! Iโm bookmarking them for the weekend. Itโs actually been way too long since Iโve made it.
Chef Dennis Littley
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the cheesecake!
sanam
This looks so delicious! I’m going to make the crust and the cheesecake tonight and the topping tomorrow. I don’t have any blueberries or cranberries though, so I’m going to use blackberries instead. Hope it turns out fine. I don’t have any corn starch though, can I use rice flour instead?
Cathy
Cheesecake was awesome! Thank you! The chocolate crust, creamy cheesecake and the cranberry/blueberry topping made for such great flavors.
Chef D
I’m so happy to hear that it worked out well for you! Thanks so much for letting me know. Tell your daughter she’s always welcome to stop in for lunch, I always treat our returning girls anytime they stop by.
Cathy
I will let my daughter know! She will be back home at Christmas, again, so I am sure she will take you up on the offer! I know she misses all your great recipes. She has turned into a great little baker herself, and has won some local baking competitions.
Cathy
Hi Chef Dennis – I should have waited for your super fast reply, but I didn’t think you would reply so fast. I used a 9″ springform pan, and it seems to have baked nicely. I should have had the crumb crust up higher on the pan, as I only had it up about one inch.
My topping was starting to burn, so I added one cup of water. The cranberries didn’t burst like I would have expected, but they are all soft. It has jelled nicely. I will put the topping on late tonight and serve it tomorrow. Thanks from a mom of a 2008 Mountie mom who misses your cookies and peanut butter pie (and yes, I make your PB pie, but have been told it is not as awesome as yours!)
Cathy
Chef Dennis, making this today, for Dinner tomorrow. have a few questions. What size springform pan? How high up did you place the cookie crumb crust? Should any water be added to the topping? Can’t wait to make this and eat it! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.
Chef D
hi Cathy I actually used a high tart pan, that’s how I got the fluted edge, but a standard 10 or 11 inch springform pan will work. I ran the crumb topping up about two inches and just carefully dusted off the parts that were too high so it looked even. And no water is necessary, I was hesitant at first but it cooked down perfectly. Good luck with your cheesecake and please let me know how it turns out.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen
I too think there is a lot of comfort found in baking. This cheesecake is gorgeous, and the name so well deserved!