Key Lime Cheesecake

Citrus fruits are readily available during any season. A lime dessert is a refreshing change and combines well with chocolate and strawberries to reflect elegance.

Crust:

1 cup / 250 ml graham wafer crumbs

¼ cup / 60 ml melted butter

¼ cup / 60 ml brown sugar

Filling:

1 cup / 250 ml lime juice – 3 or 4 limes

¼ cups / 60 ml water

2 Tbsp / 30 ml unflavored gelatin

1 ½ cups / 375 ml sugar

5 large eggs, beaten

1 Tbsp / 15 ml grated lime rind

½ cup / 125 ml butter

2 – 8oz / 250gm pkg cream cheese

1 cup / 250 ml whipping cream

Garnish:

½ cup / 125 ml whipping cream

½ Tbsp / 7 ml instant vanilla pudding powder

Lime slices and chocolate curls and stawberries to decorate.

Combine crust ingredients and press onto bottom of a 9” / 22cm spring form pan. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine lime juice, water and gelatin. Allow to soften for one minute. Then add sugar, beaten eggs and grated lime rind. Place on stove and heat, stirring constantly until mixture just comes to a boil. Mixture should not boil. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and the cream cheese together until creamy. Gradually beat in the hot lime mixture until blended. Refrigerate until cool. In a small bowl, beat 1cup / 250 ml whipping cream until stiff. Fold into cooled lime mixture and pour into spring form pan which has been lined with strips of parchment paper. Cover and chill overnight.

Before serving remove the cake from the pan.

To decorate: Whip the cream with the pudding. Make rosettes on the cake and use lime slices, chocolate curls or melted chocolate and sliced strawberries as a special touch. Serves 10 – 12.