Shelly's Recipe

TIRAMISU CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

1 1/2 cup vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
2 tsp instant espresso coffee (dry)
3 tbsp butter, melted
2 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1/4 cup rum
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp shortening

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9 inch square pan. Mix cookie crumbs, half the espresso and the butter thoroughly with fork. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Refrigerate while preparing cream cheese mixture.

Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Beat in sugar, eggs, whipping cream, rum and vanilla. Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or just until center is set. Melt chocolate chips, shortening and remaining espresso in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Pour over hot cheesecake, and spread evenly. Cool 30 minutes at room temperature. Cover loosely and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. Cut into bars.