Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
6 tbsp butter, melted
14 oz caramels (1 bag)
1 (5 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted.

Combine crumbs and margarine, press onto bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350, for 10 minutes.

In 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, melt caramels with milk over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Pour over crust. Top with pecans.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chocolate, pour over pecans. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.

Garnish with whipped cream, additional chopped nuts and maraschino cherries, if desired.