Skip to main content
Epicurious

Country Ham Cheesecake

4.2

(23)

This savory cheesecake from noted chef Marcel Desaulniers of The Trellis restaurant makes a standout first course for a large dinner party.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 12 to 16 (first-course) servings

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, melted
3 cups soup-and-oyster crackers (small saltine crackers)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
7 large eggs
2 cups grated Swiss cheese (about 8 ounces)
1 cup 1/2-inch cubes ham
1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 300°F. Brush 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Finely grind crackers in processor. Mix cracker crumbs, Parmesan and 5 tablespoons melted butter in medium bowl to blend. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping; press remainder onto bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

    Step 2

    Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and eggs in large bowl until smooth. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour filling into crust. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup crumbs over. Place cheesecake on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until filling no longer moves in center when pan is gently shaken, about 2 hours. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)

TagsCheesecakeCakeDessertParmesanCheeseDairyCream CheeseSwiss CheeseHamMeatChiveHerbs & SpicesStarterDinnerNut FreeMake AheadOven BakeElectric MixerEasterEpicurious
Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Béchamel Sauce
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Chicken Meatballs With Sesame Green Beans
Baking meatballs and green beans on two sides of the same sheet pan streamlines the cooking process for this saucy, savory dinner.
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Dulce de Leche
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Tomato Aguachile
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.