White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

To Prepare for Baking and to Make the Raspberry Filling

1. Remove the cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs from the refrigerator, and place them on the counter to come to room temperature.
2. Add the cornstarch, lemon juice, and warm water to a small bowl and whisk together until the cornstarch has dissolved.
3. Combine the raspberries and sugar together in a medium to large saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring continuously for 3 minutes as the juices release.
4. Add the cornstarch mixture and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, smashing the raspberries as they cook. The mixture should bubble a little bit and just start to thicken.
5. Puree the raspberry mixture in a food processor and then strain the puree. Set puree aside to cool.

To Make the Crust

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides.
2. Use a food processor to crush Oreos into a fine crumb for the crust. You can also place the cookies in a large plastic zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
3. Combine the crust ingredients in a medium bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan.
4. Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
5. Cover the outsides of the pan with aluminum foil so that water from the water bath cannot get in (see how I prepare a pan for a water bath). Set prepared pan aside.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C).

To Make the White Chocolate Cheesecake Filling

1. In a large mixer bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar and flour until well combined (Use low speed to keep less air from getting into the batter, which can cause cracks). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until well combined.
3. Add the white chocolate in three parts, stirring until combined after each. Adding it in parts helps ensure that it incorporates evenly and helps prevent clumping.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating slowly and scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition.

To Assemble the Cheesecake

1. Add two tablespoons of the cheesecake filling to the cooled raspberry filling.
2. Fill the crust with about 3/4 of the cheesecake filling.
3. Drop spoonfuls of about 1/2 of the raspberry filling onto the cheesecake filling. Use a knife or spatula to run through the spoonfuls and swirl them around.
4. Add the remaining cheesecake filling, then drop spoonfuls of the remaining raspberry filling over the top of the cheesecake and use a knife or spatula to swirl it around.
5. Place the springform pan (covered with aluminum foil) inside another larger pan. Fill the larger pan with enough warm water to go about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. The water should not go above the top edge of the aluminum foil on the springform pan.
6. Bake for 2 hours (yes, 2 hours), or until the outer edges are set and the center 2-3 inches of the cheesecake are still jiggly. It will continue to cook as it cools.
7. Turn off heat and leave cheesecake in oven with door closed for 30 minutes.
8. Crack oven door and leave the cheesecake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
9. Remove cheesecake from oven and chill until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight.
10. Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and place on a serving dish.

To Make the Whipped Cream and Decorate the Cheesecake

1. Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
2. Pipe the whipped cream around the outer edge of the cheesecake (I used Ateco tip #844), then finish it off with some fresh raspberries. To add white chocolate shavings, run a vegetable peeler along the side of a white chocolate bar and sprinkle over the cheesecake.
3. Refrigerate the cheesecake until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best if eaten within 3-4 days.