Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients

• Crust:
  • 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Filling:
  • 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Topping:
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chocolate-flavored caramel sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared pan.
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just blended. Stir in vanilla.
5. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the crust and spread evenly.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until center is just set.
7. Remove from oven. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans and drizzle with chocolate caramel sauce.
8. Let cool completely before serving.

Interesting Facts

• Turtle Cheesecake is a variation of the classic New York-style cheesecake.
• It originated in the U.S. with the popularity of the Turtle candy.
• In the U.S., the Turtle candy is a combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate.
• Cheesecake has been around since ancient Greece.