Chocolate Surprise Turtle Cheesecake
"This cheesecake has a surprise layer of chocolate on top of the crust when it is cut. Mmmm, so yummy. I was trying to mimic Johnny Carino's Turtle Cheesecake, but I didn't quite get it right. This still tastes AWESOME, in my opinion, though. I wouldn't bother looking at the nutition info... :) *Note:* Prep time does not include cheesecake cooling or chilling time. Updated 5/12/09 to add: The melted chocolate layer on top of the crust can become quite solid after refrigeration (...not how I envisioned it!), making it difficult to cut. Fudge ice cream topping might be better AND stay ooey-gooey when the cheesecake is cold. If you try this out, let me know what you did and how it works out!"
photo by Jwiggs
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 5mins
- Ingredients:
- 13
- Yields:
-
1 10-inch cheesecake
- Serves:
- 16
ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped, toasted and divided
- 2⁄3 cup semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (heaping)
- 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1 (14 ounce) package caramels, unwrapped
- 1⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2⁄3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
directions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup of pecans, and butter; blend well. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Place the crust in the refrigerator while making the ganache.
- Combine the 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and 2 Tablespoons butter in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat on HIGH for 30 seconds, or until the butter melts. Add the chocolate chips, and stir with a wire whisk until mixture is smooth (heating in 20-second increments on HIGH, if necessary).
- Pour, and spread, over the crust, within 1 inch from the edges of the pan. Place in the freezer until fudge is firm, about 30 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; do not over-mix. Carefully spread over the ganache filling.
- Bake, in a water bath, at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until filling is almost set. Let cheesecake sit in the turned-off oven for one hour with the door ajar.
- Remove from the oven, and cool, on a wire rack, to room temperature. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- The next day, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the bag of unwrapped caramels with 1/3 cup of cream, continuously stirring until smooth. Take off the heat, and cool 5 minutes. Pour on top of cheesecake within 1 inch of the edge.
- Coat the sides and top edge with remaining pecans and melted chocolate drizzled around the edge. When ready to serve, cut the cheesecake with a hot knife. (Store the unused caramel in fridge as dipping sauce for fruit.).
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Reviews
-
oh my... this cheesecake hits the spot!!! i made it for a new years party and tons of people loved it! i dont even think i could improve it if i tried! very good! -
Loved this reciped, i used ice cream topping fudge for the layer over the crust it came out gooey and soft.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Greeny4444
Broomfield, Colorado
I am an active lady, and I am not the top chef in the world, but I can hold my own. I love making things that remind me of when I was little, I love trying out new recipes, and I love learning new things to cook. Most of the recipes I post are recipes I loved that I found online, but that I have tweaked just a bit. I do have some family recipes on here too. I love to bake, probably more than anything else in the kitchen. I love to bike ride. I like to read, travel, kayak (I've only been twice, but I loved it), hike, camp, basically any outdoorsy/active stuff.?
