Shelly's Recipe

WARM FUDGE-FILLED CHEESECAKE

Category: Cheesecake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon vanilla, divided
2/3 cup chopped pistachios
4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate mini-morsels
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)
Garnish: chocolate shavings

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add 1/3 cup sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and pistachios. Press into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually add 1 1/2 cups sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Stir in remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla. (Do not over mix.)

Pour half of batter into crust; sprinkle with chocolate morsels to within 3/4 inch of edge. Pour in remaining batter, starting at outer edge and working toward center. Place cheesecake on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour or until set. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Serve slightly warm with sweetened whipped cream, if desired. Garnish, if desired. Serves 12.