Lemony White Chocolate Cheesecake

Although it takes some time to prepare this eye-catching cheesecake, the combination of tangy lemon and rich white chocolate is hard to beat. It's always a hit!

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

FILLING:

4 packages

(8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1-1/4 cups sugar

10 ounces white baking chocolate, melted and cooled

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs, lightly beaten

White baking chocolate curls and lemon peel strips, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Place a 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar and peel; cut in butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in white chocolate, flour, cream, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust.
Place pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake 65-85 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull.
Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour . Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Garnish with white chocolate and lemon peel if desired.