Old English Beer Cheesecake

• Crust
• all-purpose flour↗1 1⁄4 cups
• sugar↗1⁄4 cup
• butter↗1⁄3 cup
• cold beer4 tablespoons
• Filling
• golden raisin, chopped↗1⁄2 cup
• almonds, finely chopped (2 oz.)↗1⁄3 cup
• grated lemon peel1 tablespoon
• cottage cheese↗1 lb
• flour↗1⁄2 cup
• eggs↗4
• sugar↗1 cup
• beer↗3⁄4 cup
• nutmeg↗1⁄8 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   For crust, mix flour and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Add beer 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork. Shape dough into a ball. Chill.

2. 2

   Roll out on floured surface to a 13- to 14-inch circle. Fold in quarters. Gently unfold in a 8-inch springform pan. Even edge of crust so it extends about 2 inches up sides of pan (1 1/2 inches up sides if using a 10 inch pan). Prick all over with fork.

3. 3

   Bake at 425 degrees 10 minutes. Prick again and press to sides. Bake 10 minutes more or until slightly golden.

4. 4

   For filling, mix chopped raisins, almonds, and peel.

5. 5

   Process cottage cheese, flour and eggs until smooth, using food processor or electric blender. (Do in several batches in blender.).

6. 6

   Add sugar, beer, and nutmeg; blend until smooth. Stir in raisin mixture. Pour into cooled shell.

7. 7

   Bake at 300 degrees 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until set. Cool to room temperature for serving. Dust with confectioners' sugar and top with whole unblanched almonds.