Spiced Cider Cheesecake

Directions

1. 1Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs, graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar; mix well. Stir in butter. Reserve 2 tablespoons crumb mixture for garnish. Press remaining crumb mixture in bottom and 2 inches up sides of ungreased 9-inch springform pan.
2. 2Bake at 350°F. for 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Wrap outside of pan, bottom and sides, with heavy-duty foil.
3. 3Meanwhile, in small saucepan, bring apple juice concentrate and mulling spices to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 10 minutes. Place dried apples in medium bowl. Strain apple juice mixture over apples; discard spices. Cool 15 minutes or until lukewarm, stirring occasionally.
4. 4Beat cream cheese in large bowl at medium speed until creamy. Beat in 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch until smooth. Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs one at a time, beating just until combined and scraping down sides of bowl after each addition. Beat in lukewarm apple mixture. Pour into crust-lined pan.
5. 5Bake at 350°F. for 50 to 55 minutes or until sides of cheesecake are set and puffed, top is golden brown and center still moves slightly when pan is tapped.
6. 6Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine topping ingredients; blend well.
7. 7Remove cheesecake from oven. Gently spread sour cream topping over cheesecake. Return to oven; bake an additional 5 minutes. Center will still move slightly when pan is tapped. Turn off oven; let cheesecake stand in oven with door slightly ajar for 10 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven. Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 hour.
8. 8Sprinkle reserved 2 tablespoons of crumb mixture over top of cheesecake. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
9. 9To serve, remove sides of pan. Cut cheesecake into wedges.