Vanilla Cheesecake with Sesame Praline - Serves 8

Ingredients for the Cheesecake

340g biscuits (well crushed)

170g butter (melted)

600g cream cheese

500g mascarpone

3tbsp icing sugar

3-4 drops vanilla essence

Method

  1. Put crushed biscuits in a bowl with melted butter or margarine. When completely mixed, press into a spring based, loose-bottomed tin

  2. Put cream cheese and mascarpone in a large bowl and beat until smooth, then add icing sugar and vanilla and beat again. Transfer the mixture gently into the tin smoothing evenly with a palate knife over the biscuits

  3. Cover with cling film and put into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours

  4. Remove from the tin cut into portions and decorate with the praline

Ingredients for the Praline

400g Castor sugar

50ml Water

25g Sesame seeds

Method

  1. Heat the sugar/water until golden brown (crack) then add the sesame seeds (make sure they are totally covered in the sugar) pour onto a sheet of grease proof and level the mixture out, about 3-5mm thick

  2. Allow to cool completely then break into shards.