Yam cheesecake

Recipe Categories : | Cheesecakes | Desserts | Cold Desserts | Yams | Main Recipe Index |

Ingredients :

• 1¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ - ½ cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• ½ cup cold water
• 3 eggs, separated
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ tspn salt
• ¼ - ½ cup milk
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1¼ cup yams or sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
• 1 cup whipping cream, whipped
• ½ tspn vanilla extract
• additional whipped cream, optional
• mandarin orange slices, optional

Preparation and Cooking Instructions :

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter, mixing well. Press into bottom and 1½" up sides of a 9" springform pan, then chill.
2. Soften gelatin in cold water in top of a double boiler, stir in egg yolks, sugar, salt and milk. Place over water, and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat, then cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
3. Add cream cheese and sweet potatoes. Pour mixture into container of electric blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
4. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites, whipped cream, and vanilla into sweet potato mixture, then spoon into prepared pan. Chill until set.
5. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and orange slices, if desired.