Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

Chocolate Cookie Crust(recipe follows)
3 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups mini chips semi-sweet chocolate
Chocolate Leaves(recipe follows, optional)

Prepare crust. Increase oven temperature to 400.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and pumpkin pie spice in large bowl until well blended. Add pumpkin and eggs; beat until well blended. Stir in small chocolate chips; pour batter into prepared crust. Bake 10 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 250; continue baking 60 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen cake from side of pan. Cool completely; remove side of pan. Refrigerate about 5 hours before serving. Prepare and garnish with Chocolate Leaves, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake. 10 to 12 servings.

Chocolate Cookie Crust: Heat oven to 350. Stir together 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (about 30 wafers), 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter in medium bowl. Press mixture firmly onto bottom and 1/2-inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 minutes; cool slightly.

Chocolate Leaves: Thoroughly wash and dry several non-toxic leaves. Place 1/2 cup mini chips semi-sweet chocolate in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 to 45 seconds or until smooth when stirred. With small, soft-bristled pastry brush, brush melted chocolate on backs of leaves. (Avoid getting chocolate on leaf front; removal may be difficult when chocolate hardens.) Place on wax paper-covered cookie sheet; refrigerate until very firm. Beginning at stem, carefully pull green leaves from chocolate leaves; refrigerate until ready to use.