Sopapilla Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese , softened
• 1 ½ cups white  sugar , divided
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 (8 ounce) cans crescent roll dough
• ½ cup melted  butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup sliced almonds

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Instructions:

STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) .
2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

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STEP 2: PREPARE THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, 1 ½ cups of sugar , and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

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STEP 3: PREPARE THE CRESCENT ROLL LAYERS

1. Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough. Use a rolling pin to press the perforations together and shape each piece into a 9×13 inch rectangle .
2. Press one piece of crescent dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it covers the entire base evenly.

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STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE CHEESECAKE

1. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of crescent dough in the baking dish.
2. Place the second piece of crescent dough over the cream cheese layer, gently pressing it down to cover the filling completely.

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STEP 5: ADD THE TOPPING

1. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top layer of crescent dough.
2. In a small bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup of sugar with the cinnamon . Sprinkle this cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
3. Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top for added crunch and flavor.

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STEP 6: BAKE

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes , or until the crescent dough has puffed up and turned golden brown.
2. Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

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STEP 7: SERVE

1. Once cooled, cut into 12 squares and serve. Enjoy this rich, gooey, and flaky dessert as is, or pair it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

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Tips for Success:

• Make it ahead : This dessert can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
• Customize toppings : Add a drizzle of honey or caramel sauce for extra sweetness, or use chopped pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
• Storage : Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days . Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired.
• Freeze option : Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months . Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

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Nutritional Information (per slice, serves 12):

• Calories: ~350
• Protein: ~6g
• Carbohydrates: ~45g
• Fat: ~18g

Enjoy!