Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake

This is my FAVORITE homemade dessert.  Also, it's really easy to make.  It takes a while, but only because you have to leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours before eating it.  I've made it a couple of times, and unfortunately, my chief minion refuses to eat more than 2 bites.  He says it's too rich. 

On the other hand, baby minion will eat several bites and smile mischeviously as if he's getting away with something while he devours bite after bite of cheesecake.  I made it yesterday, and my dad ate 2 slices--he's a pretty tough critic.  If you're a chocolate lover, you're sure to love it!

Ingredients:

16 oz cream cheese (softened) --that's 2 packages
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
4 squares of semi-sweet chocolate (melted)
1 pie crust (oreo pie crust is best, but any works)

*Toppings:  a handful of chocolate chips (the mini kind are fun), caramel sauce (I used the squeeze kind that you'd put on your icecream), a handful of pecans (broken into smaller pieces)

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Melt your chocolate in the microwave using 30-second intervals and stirring in between.  Place the melted chocolate in the refrigerator to cool.

2.  While the chocolate is cooling, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla (in your kitchenaid or with a mixer) until smooth.  Then, mix in the eggs.

3.  Mix in the melted chocolate until smooth.  Pour the batter into your pie crust.

4.   Bake for 40 minutes and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.  Scatter your toppings (chocolate chips and pecans), then drizzle with caramel sauce.  Refrigerate 3+ hours before eating.

*Get creative with the toppings.  The original recipe came from a Philadelphia Cheesecake book and they topped it with strawberries and whipped cream would be SO good.