Halvah Filo Cheesecake (Jewish)

Ingredients

FOR THE CRUST

• 12 phyllo pastry sheets
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE FILLING

• 1 1/2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seed oil
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup pistachio nut, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup halvah, vanilla, coarsely chopped

FOR THE TOPPING

• 3 tablespoons honey, to taste
• 1/4 cup sesame seed, lightly toasted
• 1/2 cup pistachio nut, finely chopped

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   FOR THE CRUST: Spread 1 sheet of phyllo lightly with melted butter & with it line a 10-inch springform pan, allowing the excess to overhang.

3. 3

   Repeat the process with another 4 sheets of phyllo, pressing each one into the pan, starting at the center & allowing the excess to drape over the sides~ If the phyllo you use is smaller, overlap the sheets to create the same effect. Reserve the remaining sheets of phyllo for garnishing the top after baking.

4. 4

   FOR THE FILLING: In a bowl, cream the cheese with the 4 whole eggs, the 1 yolk, vanilla, sesame oil, yogurt, honey, sugar & flour, & combine until smooth, then stir in the nuts & halvah.

5. 5

   Pour into the prepared shell, trim the phyllo overhang to rest just on the rim of the pan, then bake about 45 minutes or until the cake is set.

6. 6

   Meanwhile, cut the remaining phyllo sheets in quarters & brush them with butter.

7. 7

   Remove the cake from the oven & increase the temperature to 400 degrees F, then arrainge the butteres filo sheets on top of the cake in an irregular patchwork, but covering the surface of the cake.

8. 8

   Return the pan to the oven to brown the top phyllo, about 8-10 minutes, then remove & chill the cake until set.

9. 9

   FOR THE TOPPING: When ready to serve, warm the honey & drizzle it over the cake, before topping that with the toasted sesame seeds & chopped pistachio nuts.