Blackberry Lime Cheesecake

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 350°F Spray a 6-inch springform pan with baking spray.
2. 2
   In a small bowl, use a fork to combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and brown sugar. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden around edges. Set aside to cool. Leave the oven on.
3. 3
   Reserve 2/3 cup of the semi-thawed blackberries.
4. 4
   In a blender or food processor, combine remaining blackberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Process or blend until pureed. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. Set aside puree.
5. 5
   In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and flour. Mix on low until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then mix some more. Do not mix any faster than meduim-low; you don't want to incorporate air into the mixture. Add 1 egg, mix thoroughly and scrape bowl. Add second egg, mix and scrape again. Add vanilla and mix one more time. Fold 1/2 cup of the blackberry puree and reserved whole blackberries into batter.
6. 6
   Transfer batter to crust. Bake for 10 minutes; then reduce oven temperature to 250F and bake for another 30 minutes. The top of the cheesecake should be slightly puffed and spongy-firm to the touch. It should just jiggle slightly when the pan is tapped.
7. 7
   Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
8. 8
   While cheesecake bakes, prepare blackberry-lime curd. In a medium stainless-steel bowl, combine eggs, and sugar with a whisk. Add remaining blackberry puree, lime juice, and lime zest.
9. 9
   Set bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water. The bowl should rest on the top edge of the pan without touching the water. Whisk mixture continuously until it reaches 170°F Remove from heat and add butter, one piece at a time, whisking to combine. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of curd and refrigerate until cool,.
10. 10
    When ready to assemble dessert, remove springform sides. Run a spatula under crust to remove bottom of pan. Transfer to plate. Spoon blackberry-lime curd over top of cheesecake. Garnish with blackberries and mint leaves and serve.