Toasted Coconut & Raspberry Cheesecake…and a Giveaway!

by doughmesstic on November 22, 2011

in 1Featured Cakes and Cheesecakes, cheesecake, desserts, Giveaways, raspberries

 

I adore cheesecake.  Thick, creamy, sweet.  I have to say, my favorite cheesecake is plain, nothing baked in, just the cream cheesy goodness.  Sure, I’ll top it with a variety of different things, like chocolate ganache, whipped cream, fruits, lemon curd.  But when it gets right down to it, just keep the cheesecake portion PLAIN.

I made a tiny exception here.

“>raspberrycheesecake4

I knew from the get go I wanted to top this cheesecake with a raspberry gelee and fresh berries.  That was a no brainer.  I had just been shipped a flat of Naturipe Red Raspberries, and they were burning a hole in my refrigerator.  They ached for cheesecake.  And if you’ve been reading here for any length of time and you keep a journal on all my idiosyncrasies, you know I don’t like crust.  At all.  Other than the fact that it holds a cheesecake in place, it’s nothing of use to me, so typically I omit it altogether. Instead of crust, I wrapped this cheesecake with toasted coconut flake, which was both gorgeous AND delicious.  What flavor! And, it played so well with the tart berries.  Knowing I was going with the toasted coconut wrap, I decided to add a tiny bit of coconut extract to the cheesecake.

Just another good decision.  Sometimes I make them, believe it or not.

I made this Toasted Coconut & Raspberry Cheesecake to take to Jon’s family Thanksgiving, and it was a huge hit.  Even Jon’s sister ate it, despite being anti-coconut.  I was left with one scant piece at the end of the day, which I promptly ate after our 3 hour drive home.  I couldn’t very well throw it out, could I?

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These raspberries were excellent.  It is rare that I use a berry in the off season, as we grow our own raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.  But, when these Naturipe showed up, they were a thing of beauty.  So fresh!  I was literally afraid Seven was going to eat them all before I could get them on to the cheesecake.  He’s a mad man for berries!

Honestly, this recipe for cheesecake is the only one I ever use.  Ever.  Yes, I will sub out orange oil, coconut extract, lemon zest, even a bit of mint on occasion, but the main recipe? I will NOT change it.  it bakes off perfectly, always creamy, rarely (if ever) cracks, and garners rave reviews each and every time I make it.  Give it a shot, I think you’ll love it!

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Toasted Coconut & Raspberry Cheesecake

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Yield: 12-15 Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 - 8-ounce packages cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon Coconut extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 335 F and grease or butter an 8-inch cake pan. Place a round of parchment paper on the bottom. Spray the pan and the parchment. If you are wanting a crust, now is the time to make it.
  2. Place one 8-ounce package of the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on low speed until creamy, about 3 minutes, then beat in the remaining 3 packages of cream cheese.
  3. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat in the remaining 1 1/4 cups of the sugar, then beat in the vanilla, coconut extract, and salt. Blend in the eggs one at a time, beating only until completely blended. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Slowly mix in the cream and sour cream until just combined.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about halfway up the sides of the pan. Bake the cheesecake until the top is lightly browned, about 1 hour and 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and center is set. Allow to cool in the oven with the door propped open.
  5. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's completely cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. Press the toasted coconut into the sides of the cheesecake. Spread raspberry gelee to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the cheesecake. Place fresh raspberries in a circular pattern around the top.
  7. Raspberry gelee – 1 cup fresh raspberries, 3/4 cup sugar. Reduce in small pot over medium heat until thickened. Allow to cool.
  8. Toasted Coconut – 2 cups coconut flake. Spread onto baking sheet and toast in 325 oven until lightly browned, stirring every 5 minutes.
http://doughmesstic.com/2011/11/22/toasted-coconut-raspberry-cheesecakeand-a-giveaway/

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The Giveaway

Guess what?  This giveaway isn’t even on my Gift Guide.

Nope.

But it’s fantastic.  it’s called…money.  As in $100.

Whaaa?  You already have some money?  Well then, I guess you don’t need to enter.  More for me.

Courtesy of Naturipe, one of you lucky readers will win a $100 Visa Gift Card, to buy whatever you want.  Maybe it’s a bunch of cookbooks.  Maybe it’s 11 Rubik’s Cubes.  Maybe you want to go on a date with your husband.  Maybe you just want a new pair of boots.  It’s up to you!  Here’s how you can win…

Just leave me a comment here, telling me your favorite thing to make with berries. Boom…you are entered.  But you know I can’t leave it at just one chance, right?

Of course not.image

Naturipe is looking to meet you!  So, go become a fan on their Facebook page.  That alone will gain you 1 bonus entry.  Easy as pie. (Or Cheesecake)  But, while you are there, if you’ll comment on their wall, saying Hello, or that I sent you over, or something you’ve used berries in – that will gain you ANOTHER bonus entry!

But wait, there’s MORE!  Not only will there be a $100 Visa Giveaway, FIVE lucky alternate entries will win coupons for THREE FREE PACKAGES of Naturipe Berries!  That means there are 6 winners in this giveaway!

Contest is open until 11:59pm EST on November 26, 2011, and is shipped by and courtesy of Naturipe.  I was supplied berries as well and all opinions are 100% my own.

Just a final note about raspberries…

…so that you don’t feel guilty eating the whole container (not that I did that. Much.)

Raspberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, folate, iron, potassium, antioxidants and disease-fighting ellagic acid. Ellagitannins, a family of compounds almost exclusive to the raspberry, are reported to have anti-cancer activity and contribute to the raspberry’s antioxidant power. They are also a great source of fiber, which has been found to lower cholesterol levels.

The BIG DEAL

imageSee that 7 Quart KitchenAid?  I know you want it.  I certainly can’t blame you.  So, to keep it fun and interesting, I’m giving you LOTS of extra opportunities to win it.  For every giveaway you enter during my 25 Days of Doughmesstic Christmas, if you’ll go comment on THIS POST (Click thru!) saying “I entered to win the …” (you know, whatever you entered to win), you’ll get a BONUS entry to win the mixer.  That’s 24 additional chances to win that bad boy.  So scoot! Go enter to win today’s giveaway, and then visit THIS POST to comment for your bonus entries on the mixer.

Good Luck, and see you back here tomorrow for more fun things to win!  And, don’t forget there’s still time to win these other great gifts from the Gift Guide!

{ 193 comments… read them below or add one }

Lauren @ fromeveryday to gourmet November 23, 2011 at 1:24 pm

I commented on Naturipe’s FB wall :)

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Barb B. November 23, 2011 at 1:29 pm

I “liked” Naturipe’s FB page. I like to use berries any ole way! I shared your site on my FB page, like I always do!

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Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} November 23, 2011 at 3:03 pm

I just shared a recipe using raspberries. I love these cute little berries!! Your cheesecake looks amazing!!!

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Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} November 23, 2011 at 3:07 pm

Like Naturipe on Facebook

Reply

Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} November 23, 2011 at 3:08 pm

Left a comment on their wall

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Barb S November 23, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Chocolate-covered berries, of course!

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Tracy November 23, 2011 at 8:52 pm

I love berries with simple syrup over ice cream.

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Simone Pierson November 23, 2011 at 10:28 pm

Strawberry shortcake is my all-tim favorite berry application! I also love eating blackberries just on their own.

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Athena November 23, 2011 at 10:36 pm

I love almost all kinds of berries. Most of the time, I just use them in their natural state with some Greek yogurt.

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Emily November 23, 2011 at 10:46 pm

I love putting frozen berries in my water, eating fresh berries alone or in cereal, and I love using berries to make fresh muffins!

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Emily November 23, 2011 at 10:50 pm

I liked naturipe on facebook and left a comment there as well! :)

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Kevin Schneider November 24, 2011 at 12:34 am

Put them on ice cream, of course!

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Carrie November 24, 2011 at 11:52 pm

I LOVE to dip berries in sour cream and brown sugar or make crepes stuffed with berries and cream.

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Liz November 24, 2011 at 11:55 pm

I love when my mom makes a tart with lots of raspberries and strawberries. Or when I make crepes.

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Jenn L November 25, 2011 at 11:23 am

I love them on any dessert.

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Jocelyn November 25, 2011 at 7:08 pm

Oh my goodness that looks delicious. I love making smoothies with berries.

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Nikki G November 25, 2011 at 8:51 pm

I love dessert pizza!! I can’t make it much because I end up eating way too much!!

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Donna B. November 26, 2011 at 5:48 pm

I love to make smoothies.

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Donna B. November 26, 2011 at 5:51 pm

I like the sponsor on Facebook and I posted on their wall. http://www.facebook.com/NaturipeBerryQuickSnacks/posts/251223008264937

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Donna B. November 26, 2011 at 5:52 pm

I like the sponsor on Facebook and I posted on their wall. http://www.facebook.com/NaturipeBerryQuickSnacks/posts/251223008264937
2

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Cathy W November 28, 2011 at 4:20 am

I like them right out of the carton!

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Cathy W November 28, 2011 at 4:22 am

Like Sponsor on Facebook

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Cathy W November 28, 2011 at 4:22 am
Angela @ The Dancer Bakes November 29, 2011 at 10:05 pm

Mmm…berries… So far my favorite things to make with them are whole wheat blueberry banana pancakes and strawberry white chocolate scones :)

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Maria June 16, 2012 at 5:21 pm

Wow! I am not a cheesecake maker, but THIS looks delicious. I will definitely give it a try! Thanks for sharing.

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Rebecca D July 21, 2012 at 8:26 pm

I love putting berries in pancakes!
Blueberries and strawberries. So yummy! And if you get them in season when they’re the sweetest, there’s almost no need for maple syrup. Almost.

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Stace @ Saving Stace July 31, 2012 at 6:06 pm

I love to make berry muffins and sauces. Sauces that I can put on whatever I want. :) Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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Stace @ Saving Stace July 31, 2012 at 6:15 pm

I liked Naturipe’s Facebook page!

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Stace @ Saving Stace July 31, 2012 at 6:17 pm

I got my dates mixed up – please disregard my previous comments. HAHA :P

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Cheryl Hopkins July 31, 2012 at 7:43 pm

I love making a Triffle! I really believe it brings out the flavor of the berries!

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Ashlie July 31, 2012 at 7:45 pm

My favorite recipe with berries is definetly my chocolate mousse tart with a salted almond crust – it is so rich, the berries (raspberries always) bring a lovely freshness, and I mean what is better than berries and chocolate!!! Thanks for a grrrrreat giveaway.

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Megan's Cookin' August 1, 2012 at 7:22 pm

This looks killer!!!

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Bree August 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm

Yummy Berries! Wow! I do fresh milk shake. Even a smoothie or two.. I entered to win the…..

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Megan J August 6, 2012 at 5:58 pm

my favorite thing to make with berries is a smoothie!

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Megan J August 6, 2012 at 6:05 pm

I’m a fan of Naturipe on facebook

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debi marzaloes August 23, 2012 at 3:14 pm

I make a pie that calls for rasberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches yummy.

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Barbara Moss September 16, 2012 at 8:47 am

Berries are superb in an English Summer Pudding. Just amazing! It is an old recipe, tried and true.

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Trina September 23, 2012 at 6:37 pm

I had a few problems, I burnt the coconut. I turn it after five minutes. I checked it in another five minutes found out I burned it. The raspberry gelee didn’t say how long to heat it. When I thought it was thick enough, it had turned really dark. After I let it cool, it was to thick to get out of the pan. The cheescake looks good. I’m glad I bought some strawberries just in case.

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Farrah November 8, 2012 at 8:18 pm

Definitely love them in cheesecakes and smoothies (and just eating them plain)! I’m so sad that I missed berry-picking season this year. ;_;!

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Nadine Mosley January 30, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Old fashion way of just popping in my mouth
Nadine

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Nicole February 6, 2013 at 12:34 pm

Hi there,
I’d like to make this cheesecake for Valentines day but I have a couple of questions before I attempt baking this…
1) can I use a spring form pan or does it have to be a cake pan?
2) when covering the cake overnight, can it be left in the pan or taken out of the pan and onto a plate and then covered?
3) how do you put the coconut onto the sides? I picture it
Being very messy and not wanting to stick so I’d just like a heads up of what to expect :)

Thanks! Hope to hear from you soon!

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doughmesstic February 7, 2013 at 9:52 pm

Hi there! Yes, you can use a springform. I just don’t like them since they tend to leak, even with the aluminum foil. But sure, go for it! Yes, you can leave it in the pan and cover with plastic. Coconut – just press it into the sides. It sticks. Good luck, and hope you’ll let me know how it goes!
Thanks!

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Carrie February 11, 2013 at 6:20 pm

I am trying this out for the first time… Looks amazing can’t wait to try it…

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