Nanaimo Cheesecake

Ingredients For the Crust: 4 tbsp butter, melted 5 tbsp cocoa powder 3 tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes

For the Cheesecake 4 (8oz) bricks of cream cheese, softened 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/3 cup sour cream 1 tsp vanilla 3 tbsp vanilla custard powder

For the Chocolate Ganache 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 1 cup heavy cream

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, walnuts, coconut, cocoa powder, and sugar in a food processor and process until fine crumbs. Pulse in the vanilla and melted butter until moistened. Press into the bottom and a little up the sides of a 10 inch spring form pan. Bake for 5 minutes.

For the Cheesecake: In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time, beating in-between, and scrape down sides of bowl occasionally.

Add the sour cream, sugar, vanilla and vanilla custard powder. Mix until smooth. Pour onto the prepared crust. Bake on the rack above the pan filled with water for 1 hour. Turn off the oven, crack it open slightly and leave in oven for 1-2 hours. Remove from oven and let come to room temperature