Very Berry Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 40 vanilla wafers
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup cottage cheese, creamed
• 1/4 cup cherry brandy
• 3 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 tablespoon cherry brandy
• 1 tablespoon white sugar

Directions :

• Finely crush vanilla wafers -- should have about 1 1/2 cups. In a medium mixing bowl stir together vanilla wafers and butter. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1 3/4 inch up the sides of an 8 inch springform pan. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, flour, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Set aside.
• Place cottage cheese in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Stir into cream cheese mixture. Stir in the 1/4 cup cherry brandy. Beat in eggs on low speed just till combined but DO NOT OVERBEAT.
• Pour half of the cheese mixture into the crust-lined pan. Spread 1 cup of the fruit on top. Top with remaining cheese mixture and 1/2 cup of the fruit. Place in a shallow baking pan in a 375 degree F (190 degrees C) oven. Bake, uncovered, for 40 - 45 minutes or till center appears nearly set when shaken.
• Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen sides. Cool completely on wire rack. Cover and chill until ready to serve. For topping, in a medium bowl combine remaining 2 cups fruit, 1 tablespoon cherry brandy, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Cover and chill for up to 2 hours. To serve, cut cheesecake into wedges. Top each serving with fruit topping.