Cranberry Ribbon Cheesecake

Directions

1. 1Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.Mix crust ingredients; press in bottom of pan. Bake crust 7 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.
2. 2Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 1/4 cups sugar and the cornstarch. Add cranberries and cranberry juice. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is thick and all cranberries have popped open. In blender or food processor, place cranberry mixture. Cover; blend until smooth. Place strainer over medium bowl; pour cranberry mixture in strainer. Press mixture with back of spoon through strainer to remove skin; discard skin. Set aside to cool.
3. 3In large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs; one at a time, just until blended. Stir in whipping cream and orange peel.
4. 4Pour half of filling (about 3 1/4 cups) into cooled crust. Evenly spoon half of cranberry sauce (3/4 cup). Carefully spoon remaining filling over cranberry sauce in pan.Cover and refrigerate remaining cranberry mixture for topping.
5. 5To minimize cracking, place shallow pan half full of hot water on lower oven rack. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes or until edge of cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes. Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before serving. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan; remove side of pan. Spread reserved cranberry mixture over cheesecake.