Shelly's Recipe

BAILEYS IRISH CREAM CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

Crust
10 whole graham crackers, broken into pieces
1 1/4 cup pecans (about 5 oz)
1/4 cup sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Filling
1 1/2 lbs cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/3 cup Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 oz imported white chocolate (such as Lindt), broken into pieces

Topping
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 oz imported white chocolate, grated
24 pecan halves

For crust: Preheat oven to 325. Lightly butter 9-inch diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Finely grind graham crackers, pecans and sugar in processor. Add butter and blend, using on/off turns. Press crumbs onto bottom and 2 inches up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate 20 minutes.

For filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Whisk eggs, Baileys and vanilla in medium bowl until just blended. Beat egg mixture into cream cheese mixture. Finely chop white chocolate in processor using on/off turns. Add to cream cheese mixture.

Transfer filling to crust-lined pan. Bake until edges of filling are puffed and dry looking and center is just set, about 50 minutes. Cool on rack.

For topping: Mix sour cream and powdered sugar in small bowl. Spread topping onto cooled cake. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 6 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)
Sprinkle grated chocolate over cake. Place pecans around edge and serve.