Cheesecake Philadelphia

Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 cup toasted, chopped pecans
• 4 (1-ounce) unsweetened chocolate baking squares, melted
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 3/4 cups sugar
• 11 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

For Ganache:

• 2 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup whipping cream

Method

1. Recipe will make 2 cheesecakes
2. Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the bottom of 2 greased 9 inch springform pans
3. Set aside
4. Preheat oven to 325F
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat together 2 cups sugar and butter until fluffy
6. Add 4 eggs one at a time until just combined
7. Pour in melted chocolate and mix
8. Gradually add in flour until blended
9. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla chocolate chips
10. Pour batter evenly over pecans into pans
11. In a separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth
12. Add remaining sugar until blended
13. Add remaining eggs, one at a time until just combined
14. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla and pour evenly into each pan over brownie layer
15. Bake for 75 minutes, until set
16. Cool completely
17. For ganache, melt chocolate chips with whipping cream in a small saucepan
18. Spread ganache over each cheesecake
19. Cool, cover and chill overnight
20. Garnish suggestion – fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves