Cheddar Beer Cheesecake

1 cup sifted flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:
1 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon orange rind
4 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup beer or ale
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 pounds cream cheese

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Crust:
To prepare the crust, mix the flour, sugar and lemon rind. Cream with the butter. Add the egg yolk and vanilla. Stir till a soft dough is formed. Press 1/3 of the dough onto the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Watch carefully, as it burns quickly. Let cool. Press the remaining dough around the sides of the pan, coming to within 1 inch of the top.

Filling:
Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Beat in the Cheddar cheese until well blended.

Add the sugar, vanilla, and lemon and orange rinds. Beat until smooth.

Add the eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Stir in beer and heavy cream. Pour into the prepared crust.

Return to the 500 degree oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees.

Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out fairly clean. Cool to room temperature. Serve warm or chilled.

Source: San Francisco Encore by Junior League of San Francisco
Servings: 16