Can I use amaretti cookies in a cheesecake crust?
I'm making a cannoli cheesecake from this recipe (http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a43604/cannoli-cheesecake-recipe/). I will be adding 1-2 tsps of cinnamon to the cheesecake batter and possibly almond extract. All the recipes say to use a graham cracker crust, but that doesn't seem like it would be as authentic. Can I use crushed (ground) amaretti cookies, like in the cookies below? It seems like it would behave similarly to graham crackers or Nilla wafers.
Again, I'm asking about the crust and the use of a different cookie (since I've never used something outside of wafers or graham crackers or Oreos for crusts). I understand that this will not be actual cannolis but a cheesecake designed to remind you of a cannoli. I've updated the title as well so hopefully my request for help is clearer.
Best Answer
Sure you can. Just blitz the cookies in a food processor, and add a stream of melted butter until you can form the crust into a ball in your hand. Then just press the cookie mixture into the pan you want to bake the cheesecake in.
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Answer 2
I would hesitate to use amaretti for the crust. As Dorothy stated, they are related to macarons, baiser and other egg-white-based cookies. I'm afraid they'd give you a very rubbery crust or soak up too much liquid from the filling. You want something "sturdier", and graham crackers or any other "robust" cookie fits the bill. If you use a cookie with lots of fat, you might want to play with the crumb-to-butter ratio a bit to prevent greasiness.
You also wanted to be "authentic", so if I read your questiin correctly, tasting "more Italian". But in this case, there is no need to use amaretti for the almond or amaretto flavour for "authenticity", a cannolo siciliano does not have amaretto anywhere, at least judging by a quick scan of recipes online.
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