French Chocolate Cheesecake

If you like cheesecake and chocolate, you’ll want to try this 1st Prize winning recipe from Marcia Gerdes of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Semi-sweet chocolate morsels combine with cream cheese for a chocolaty, rich filling atop a nutty walnut crust. Served with caramel sauce this delicious French Chocolate Cheesecake is sure to please all the chocolate lovers in your family!

Ingredients

Crust

• 2 cups walnut halves
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted

Filling

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 cups (18 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Caramel Sauce

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Serving

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust

1. Place nuts, brown sugar, flour and butter in a food processor container; cover. Process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 10 inch springform pan.
2. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Filling

1. Heat cream in medium saucepan over medium heat just to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in morsels. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted. Cool for 15 minutes.
2. Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed until smooth. Add chocolate mixture; beat on low speed until just combined. Add eggs; stir until just combined. Pour into prepared crust. Place pan on baking sheet.
3. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly.
4. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; run knife around edge of cheesecake. Cool for 30 minutes.
5. Remove side of springform pan. Cool completely on wire rack.
6. Cover; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Caramel Sauce

1. Melt butter in small saucepan. Stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low; boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
2. Serve cheesecake with warm Caramel Sauce and whipped cream.

Nutrition

Per serving: calories per serving 760 calories from fat 520

% daily value * Total Fat 57g 88% Saturated Fat 30g 149% Cholesterol 175mg 59% Sodium 210mg 9% Carbohydrates 54g 18% Dietary Fiber 3g 13% Vitamin A 30% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 8% Iron 6% Sugars 46g Protein 10g

* Percentage Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Very Best Baking and Nestlé