DECADENT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1-¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ Dutche cocoa
- 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
- Filling:
- 3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Fresh fruit (optinal)
Method:
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a bowl, combine crust ingredients. Press into the bottom and 1-in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place aluminum foil around the outside of the pan. Set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and ¾ cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed until combined. Stir in 1 cup melted chocolate and the extracts until blended. Pour into crust.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set.
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate until completely cool.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips, cream and hone. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes. Removes sides of spring form pan. Pour slightly cooled topping over cheesecake. Chill for at least 4 hours or until the topping is set. Refrigerate leftovers.