Baklava Cheesecake

Baklava Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 12 sheets phyllo dough
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. ground allspice
• 2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened
• 1 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten

Ingredients for garnish:

• 3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
• 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed and patted dry

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Place one sheet phyllo dough in a greased 9-in. springform pan, pressing phyllo onto bottom and up side of pan; brush with butter.
3. Layer with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each layer and rotating sheets slightly to stagger the corners. (While working, keep unused phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Place springform pan on a 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking pan.
4. In a small bowl, mix walnuts, sugar and spices; sprinkle over bottom of phyllo. Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until the edge is lightly browned (side will puff). Cool in springform pan on a wire rack.
5. Reduce oven setting to 325 F. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and mascarpone cheese on low speed until smooth. Beat in honey, milk and flour. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Pour into crust. Return pan to baking pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until center is almost set.
6. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.
7. Remove rim from pan.
8. For garnish, place corn syrup in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, 10 seconds or until warm. Brush corn syrup lightly over both sides of rosemary. Place on waxed paper; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
9. If needed, reheat remaining corn syrup until warm; gently toss cranberries in syrup.
10. Place remaining sugar in a small bowl; add cranberries and toss to coat. Place on waxed paper and let stand until set, about 1 hour.
11. Just before serving, top cheesecake with sugared rosemary and cranberries.