Turtle Cheesecake

People, I have three words for you:

(1)SALTED (2)CARAMEL (3)SAUCE

Yeah, it would be awesome on vanilla ice cream, but it's really quite spectacular on a turtle cheesecake. Cream cheese, it's amazeballs.

So, back in July it was my older brother's birthday. The day before his birthday it was my nephew's birth day. The baby overshadowed the 30-year-old. 

To make up for it I made this cheesecake. I show my love with baked goods. True that. [Insert thoughts on finding a man and why am I single here.]

Starting off with the crust. It's beautiful. It's delicious. It's buttery. It's crisp. It's where it's at. BAM!

Before you put your crust in your pan, don't forget to wrap it in foil. It's imperative for the water bath. Don't skip the water bath. You don't have to do a water bath for this first part though, just the foil wrap. 

Bake that baby.

While your crust cools, make the filling.

So good! 

This is where I change my mind, sure the swirls are pretty, but honestly when it bakes, the swirls aren't doing much for you. Just make two layers, a layer of the plain cheesecake [2/3 of the batter] and a layer of the chocolate [the remaining batter plus the melted chocolate chips].

Now it's time for your toppings. I had four toppings.
I know, who needs four toppings?!?!?? No one needs them, but oh geeze, they are good. 

The goods for salted caramel, melted chocolate, pecans and chocolate chips.

Take a slice of cheesecake, add your toppings and dig in. Or just stare in wonder at the beauty of it all.

Turtle Cheesecake
Preheat your oven to 325. Take your 9-inch springform pan and carefully wrap around the outside with foil. I use about 3 pieces to create a good seal around the bottom of the pan. We're going to use a water bath later and you don't want a soggy crust, believe me, I've experienced it before.

Crust
-2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
-1 cup Pecans, ground in a food processor
-1/2 cup Brown Sugar
-3/4 cup Butter, melted

Crush the cookies in a baggie and smash them to smithereens and place in a bowl. You could also use a food processor if you wanted. Grind your pecans in a food processor until they are fine, but stop before they begin to cream (we're not looking for pecan-butter here). Combine the cookie crumbs, pecans, brown sugar and butter and stir before pressing into your springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool while you make the filling.

Cheesecake
-3 packages (8 oz) Cream Cheese
-1 1/4 cup Sugar
-1/2 tsp Salt
-1 Tblsp Vanilla
-4 Eggs
-1 cup Sour Cream
-1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips, melted

Beat the cream cheese in your mixer until smooth. Slowly add sugar, salt and vanilla then incorporate the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream. Put 2/3 of the mix into the crust. With the remaining filling add the chocolate and mix to combine. I followed a recipe which recommended a swirl technique, but I'd just do layers next time I make this. So add the chocolate filling on top of the plain filling making a chocolate layer [so pretty!]. Place your foil surrounded springfoil pan in a roasting pan on the oven rack, add hot water until half-way up the sides of the pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours then crack the oven door and let the cheesecake sit for another hour in the oven. Cover and cool in your refrigerator overnight.

Salted Caramel Sauce
-1/2 cup Butter
-1 cup Brown Sugar
-1 1/2 tsp Salt (use less for a less salted caramel)
-1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
-1 Tblsp Vanilla

Combine the butter, brown sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently (once it's melted together then stir constantly) until the sugar has dissolved then remove from heat and add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla. Let cool.

Toppings
-Salted Caramel Sauce
-Chocolate (melt 1/2 cup Chips with 2 Tblsp Butter)
-Chocolate Chips
-Pecan pieces

You could schmear the top of your cheesecake with all the toppings or you can add them to each slice as you get it out. I'm the latter, but the former would be nice also. (-:

This is decadent. This is divine. This is luxurious. This is something my mother refused to share at a family potluck, it's just that good.

Happy [belated] birthday, Dave Dogg!