Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery
Turtle Pecan Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust

• 4 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 12 tablespoons melted butter

Filling

• 1 (14 ounce) bag light (vanilla) caramels
• 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted*
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels, melted

Chocolate Topping

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
• 3 tablespoons evaporated milk**

Garnish (optional)

• Whipped cream
• Pecan halves dipped in caramel

Instructions

Crust

1. Combine Graham cracker crumbs and melted butter; press mixture onto bottom and sides of a buttered 10 inch springform pan (2 inches deep). Bake in preheated 350 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Filling

1. In a heavy saucepan, melted caramels with evaporated milk over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. (If desired, dip a few pecans into caramel mixture and set aside to use later as a garnish.) Pour caramel mixture over cooled crust; top with toasted pecans.
2. Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Blend in melted chocolate. Pour mixture over pecans and caramel in crust, starting at outer edge.
3. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 1 hour and 20 to 25 minutes, or until edges begin to crack. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan and loosen cheesecake with spatula.

Chocolate Topping

1. Melt chocolate morsels on medium heat in microwave. Add evaporated milk (or 2 percent milk and butter). Stir until mixture is smooth.
2. Spread chocolate topping over chilled cheesecake. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and pecan halves dipped in caramel, if desired.
3. Keep refrigerated.

Notes

* To toast pecans: Put 1 tablespoon butter or margarine into a 9 inch pie plate. Microwave until melted. Stir in 1 cup pecans, tossing to coat. Microwave on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes.

** If you don't want to open another can for the 3 tablespoons evaporated milk, you can substitute 3 tablespoons 2 percent milk and 2 teaspoons butter.

Attribution

Posted by kdipaolo at Recipe Goldmine - May 18, 2001.

Source: Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery, Kimmswick, Missouri