Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 30 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 3 tablespoons milk
• ¾ cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Directions:

Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Mix well and press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Pour on melted caramel/pecan mixture and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 2
To make the Caramel Filling: In a small saucepan, combine caramels and milk. Cook over low heat, stirring, until smooth. Stir in chopped pecans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 3
In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold 1/3 of the filling into the melted chocolate, then pour the chocolate mixture back into the filling and mix until no streaks remain. Pour into crust.

Step 4
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until center is almost set. Place a pan of water on rack underneath cheesecake as it bakes to help keep it from cracking. Cool in oven with door cracked open. Refrigerate at least 5 hours before serving.