Baked Rum and Raisin Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

For the base:

• 150g (5oz) digestive biscuits, finely crushed
• 75g (3oz) butter, melted

For the filling:

• 85g (3 ½ oz) raisins soaked overnight or longer in 60ml (4 tbsp) yellow rum
• 500g (1lb2oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 125g (4 ½ oz) caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 150ml (1/4 pt) sour cream
• ½ fresh nutmeg for grating
• Creme fraiche to serve

You will need:

• a 20cm (8in) spring-form tin, base lined with baking parchment

Method

1. Heat oven to 170C, 150C fan, 325F, gas 3. Place the biscuits and butter in a bowl, stir well then press into the base of the tin. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes then remove and leave to cool.

2. Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add the caster sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream and beat well until thoroughly combined. Stir in the raisins, reserving a few for decoration if you like. Pour the mixture over the base. Give a couple of sharp taps on the worktop to remove any air pockets then smooth the surface. Finally grate plenty of fresh nutmeg over the surface.

3. Place the cheesecake on a baking sheet and cook for 35-40 minutes. The top should be set with a good wobble in the middle. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a round bladed knife around the outside. Leave to cool before chilling in the fridge for a minimum of 6 hours or preferably overnight.

4. Remove the cheesecake from the tin and slice into thin slices. Scatter a few reserved raisins over the top and serve with a dollop of crème fraiche.