I am in charge of dessert for my extended family Christmas party this year. One of the things I decided to make is turtle cheesecake. I LOVE cheesecake (chocolate covered is my favorite). This is a recipe I got from a Philadelphia cream cheese box years ago. I’ve made it once before for a work Christmas party for Justin. Let’s just say I don’t think any other dessert was even touched before this was gone 🙂  That’s how good it is. Oreos, cream cheese, caramel, pecans…mmmm. It’s in the oven right now. I’ll add pics later when it’s done.

Ultimate Turtle Cheesecake

2 cups Oreo Chocolate Cookie crumbs (I used my food processor to make the cookies into crumbs…first time trying that…wow, that is so much easier and works so much better than doing it by hand 🙂
6 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 bag (14 oz.) caramels
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup pecan pieces
3 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate (2 oz.)

Mix cookie crumbs and better. Press onto bottom and 2″ up sides of a 9″ springform pan. Place caramels and milk in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 3 min., until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute. Pour 1/2 of the caramel mixture into cruts. Refrigerate 10 min. Set remaining caramel aside for later use in topping.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over caramel mixture in crust.

Bake at 325 for 65 min. to 70 min. or until center is almost set.**  Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Cool before removing side of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or over night.

Top with remaining caramel mixture and pecans just before serving. Melt chocolate as directed on package. Drizzle over cheesecake. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator. Makes 16 servings.

**Normally when I make cheesecake I put tinfoil underneath the pan and around the outside. Then I put it in a large pan and add water. Since this recipe did not say to do either I didn’t this time. Well, part way through baking I noticed a smell and smoke in the kitchen. Some of the butter from the crust was dripping down in the oven. So, a tip…use the foil or at least a baking pan underneath so you don’t end up with a mess.