Recipe No. 2 for Friday

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake (Death by Chocolate!)

If you love chocolate, this is the dessert for you! WORTH the effort! Wonderful served with a cup of coffee! ENJOY!

1½ hours cook time, 30 min prep

CRUST

1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (or a store bought chocolate graham cracker crust)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

FILLING

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
24 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

TOPPING

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
mini milk chocolate candy kisses (optional)


PREPARATION

In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter.
Press onto the bottom and 1 1/2 in. up the sides of a greased 9 inch springform pan
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack.
Reduce heat to 325.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth.
Remove from the heat; add cream and mix well; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Add cocoa and beat well.
Add eggs; beat on low just until combined.
Stir in vanilla and reserved chocolate mixture just until blended.
Pour over crust.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set.

For topping, melt chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
Remove from the heat.
Stir in cream and vanilla; mix well.
Spread over filling.
Refrigerate overnight.

Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen.
Remove the sides of the pan.
Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and miniature chocolate kisses if desired.