Ambrosia Cheesecake

This is a beautiful and impressive cake--great for holidays.

Stir together first 3 ingredients.

Press mixture into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

Cool.

Beat cream cheese , eggs , and 1 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Stir in 14-ounce package coconut and vanilla.

Pour into prepared crust.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Cool completely on a wire rack.

Cover and chill 8 hours.

Release sides of springform pan , and place cheesecake on serving platter or cake stand.

Spread fresh orange curd evenly over top of cheesecake.

Sprinkle 1 cup toasted coconut around outer edge of top , if desired.

Arrange decorated pastry strips on sides of cheesecake , if desired.

Garnish top of cake , if desired.

shortbread cookies, sugar, butter, cream cheese, eggs, sweetened flaked coconut, vanilla extract, orange curd