Coconut & Lime Cheesecake

A truly winning flavour combination, the zest of the limes and the sweetness of the coconut melt together in a perfect cheesecake. Top with drizzled white chocolate for pure decadence!

Ingredients

For the base

  • 250g gingernut biscuits
  • 100g unsalted butter, melted

For the filling

  • 600g cream cheese
  • 65g desiccated coconut
  • Juice of 3 limes
  • Zest of 2 limes
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 100g icing sugar
  • 300ml double cream

For the topping

  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 20g desiccated coconut
  • 50g white chocolate, melted (optional)

Method

  1. Grease and line a 20cm round tin with a loose bottom. Alternatively, you can put your cheesecake together in a round ceramic dish which would save removing the cheesecake once assembled.
  2. To assemble the base, add the gingernut biscuits to a plastic food bag, and bash them to crumbs with a rolling pin. Once the biscuits are all nice and crumbly, transfer them to a mixing bowl, and add the melted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are completely coated, then tip them into the prepared dish or tin. Press down firmly into the base to create an even layer. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour to set until firm.
  3. For the filling, add the cream cheese, icing sugar, lime juice, zest, desiccated coconut, and vanilla extract to your Cooks Professional stand mixer. Beat together until smooth, then tip in the double cream and beat until the mixture is fully combined.
  4. Spoon the cream mixture onto the biscuit base, starting from the edges and working inwards. Ensure that there are no air bubbles, and smooth the top of the cheesecake with a rubber spatula. Leave to set in the fridge overnight.
  5. When you’re ready to assemble the decorations for your cheesecake – once it has set – assemble the ingredients about half an hour before you intend to serve it. Remove from the fridge and sprinkle over the remaining zest and desiccated coconut. If you wanted to add a little bit of decadence, melt a little white chocolate either in the microwave (in blasts of 30 seconds at a time to prevent it burning) or over a bain-marie, then drizzle over your cheesecake before adding the lime zest and coconut. If you used a dish with a removable bottom, make sure to have removed the cheesecake and set it on a plate, removing the lining and base, before you assemble your decorations.

Lead image: ElenaBoronina via Getty Images.