Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL PECAN CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

18 squares crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup pecan halves
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup prepared caramel topping

Mix graham crumbs, sugar and butter; press into the bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate.

Finely chop and toast 1/2 cup pecans (in the oven on a cookie sheet until lightly toasted). Sprinkle evenly on the bottom of pie crust and set aside.

Blend cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla. Blend in eggs until smooth; pour into prepared pie crust. Place remaining pecan halves in circle around edge. Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Chill at least 4 hours. Drizzle caramel topping over cheesecake before serving. Serves 8.