This stunning cheesecake features a pecan crust, a creamy cheesecake swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, topped with warm caramel sauce; all the components of a perfect cinnamon bun. This dessert is also naturally gluten-free, so it is perfect for those that are entertaining guests with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Ingredients:
- 2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided
- 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 5 Tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 1/2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup, divided
- 2 teaspoons plus 2 Tablespoon heavy cream, divided
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the pecans, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the pecan pieces are about the size of peppercorns. Add 4 Tablespoons melted butter and pulse again to combine. Pat the mixture in an even layer in a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream and cornstarch, and mix until well blended. With the mixer running, add the egg and egg yolks, one at a time, being sure each egg is fully blended into the batter before adding the next. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and salt, stirring to combine. Pour the batter in an even layer over the crust.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon softened butter. Add 1 Tablespoon maple syrup and 2 teaspoons heavy cream. Dollop this mixture on top of the unbaked cheesecake. Use a knife to swirl the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture into the cheesecake batter.
- Place springform pan on a baking sheet (this will make for easy clean up in case your springform pan leaks during baking). Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until the cake is set. The center will still be slightly jiggly, but will set up as it cools. Open the oven door a few inches and leave cake in the oven for 1 hour as it cools. Refrigerate cake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- To make the caramel sauce, combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 Tablespoons maple syrup in a small sauce pan. Stirring frequently, bring the sauce to a to a boil over medium heat. Once it has reached a boil, remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 Tablespoons heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. The sauce can also be made in advance and reheated in the microwave before serving.
- To serve, remove the outside of the springform pan. Use a sharp knife, dipped in hot water and dried with a towel, to cut the cake into 12 even slices. Drizzle each slice with the warm caramel sauce and garnish with pecan pieces.
I LOVE your cinnamon bun recipe and will have to give this a try!
Thanks! It has the same flavours as the cinnamon bun, but in a cheesecake. SO GOOD!
I have tried the cinnamon buns and the cheese cake and both were very rich but yummy.All my friends Gluten-Free and not loved em both,can not wait to see what is next on the menu,thanks or sharing such yummy foods
This looks AMAZING!
Thanks, Lauren! I think you should bake it, to celebrate!
That. Looks. Phenomenal!
Thank you, Carolyn! It is pretty tasty!
At Thanksgiving I usually make one or two requested desserts along with a new debut. This is it for 2012!