A baked cheesecake makes a perfect gift for a friend - nicer than a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine and it is easy to transport. Next time you have some spare time why not make one! I know this one was gratefully received by the recipient.






Praline Flapjack Cheesecake
For the base
175g porridge oats
3tbsp golden syrup
50g butter
For the cheesecake
250g cream cheese
3 eggs separated
100ml double cream
25g plain flour
2oz caster sugar
3 tbsp hazelnut butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
For the nut topping
200g mixed unsalted nuts
4 tbsp caramel sauce, warmed
For the Caramel nut shards
500g caster sugar
200g mixed unsalted nuts (brazils, hazelnuts, cashews, macadamia etc)

In a small saucepan heat the butter and golden syrup and then stir in the oats, mixing well to ensure that all the oats are coated. Press the oat mixture into the bottom of a greased and lined 10inch spring form tin. Place the cream cheese, cream, egg yolks, caster sugar, flour, hazelnut butter and vanilla in a food processor and blitz until smooth. Whisk the egg whites to stiff peak and then gently fold into the hazelnut mixture. Pour over the flapjack base. Place the tin on a baking sheet and bake in a low oven (160oC/325F/Gas Mark 3/Aga roasting oven below a cold shelf) for 1 1/2 hours until the cheesecake is firm to touch. To make the topping, warm the caramel sauce (you can make your own using brown sugar, cream, butter and golden syrup in roughly equal quantities) and stir in the nuts. When the nuts and cheesecake have cooled, pour the nuts into the centre of the cheesecake. If you wish, make caramel nut shards to decorate the cheesecake. Lightly grease a baking tray with a flavourless oil (sunflower or vegetable oil are ideal) and pour the nuts over. In a heavy based saucepan heat the sugar gently until it melts. Do not stir very much as this causes the sugar to crystallise and be very careful that the sugar doesn't burn. If you are worried, just take it off the heat for a few minutes. When the sugar has melted and is a light golden brown colour, pour over the nuts and leave to cool. Break into pieces and use to decorate.