Ingredients:
1&1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
1 cup half chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
1&2/3 cups granulated sugar, divided use
1 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup finely chopped almonds
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, fluffed
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
1/2 cup Italian bitters
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided use<
2 tablespoons vanilla extract, divided use
4 large eggs
4 large eggs
2 cups sour cream
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
II.METHOD:
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
1.Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
2.Combine chocolate wafer crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, almonds and softened butter in a small bowl. Pat the mixture Combine chocolate wafer crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, almonds and softened butter in a small bowl. Punch the mixture into a 9-inch cake pan; set aside.
3. Cream softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, cream, amaretto liqueur, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a mixing bowl. beat in eggs, one at a time, beating Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Beat fluffy cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, cream, amaretto liqueur, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Pour over the crust and bake for 1 hour (check at 50 minutes), or until the center is still slightly moist and jiggly. Remove from oven and let stand on a rack. Do not remove spring form yet.
Pour over the crust and bake for 1 hour (check at 50 minutes), or until the center is still slightly moist and jiggly. Remove from the oven and place on a rack without moving the cake pan yet.
5. Meanwhile, combine sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup sugar. Mix well and spread evenly over the cheesecake. Bake for 5 more minutes.
Meanwhile, combine sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup sugar. Mix well and spread evenly over the cheesecake. Bake for 5 more minutes.
6. Remove from oven; place on a rack and cool. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, remove the sides from the pan and garnish with
Remove from oven; place on a rack and cool. Cool for at least an hour. When ready to take to the table, take away the sides from the cake pan and garnish with toasted sliced almonds.