Ingredients

  • 10 graham crackers
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 16 oz sour cream, container
  • 24 oz Neufchatel cheese
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 6 tbsp flour, all-purpose
  • 1 16 oz red tart cherries, bag frozen
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a food processor or blender, process the graham crackers to fine crumbs; transfer to a bowl and stir in the sugar until well combined. Add the butter and mix until the crumbs just hold together when pressed. Press into the bottom and 2-inches up the sides of a 9-inch spring form pan. Bake 10 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sour cream and Neufchatel cheese; beat until smooth. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and almond extract and beat until smooth. Add the flour and mix briefly until combined. Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F; bake in the center of the oven 1 hour and 5 minutes or until the cheesecake is almost set. Turn off the oven and leave the cake in the oven another hour. Cover and chill 3 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, combine the cherries, sugar, water, and almond extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Stir in cornstarch that has been dissolved in 2 tablespoons water; return to a boil and cook until thickened, 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and chill 2 hours. Spread cherry mixture over top of cheesecake before slicing.