French Chocolate Cheesecake (with Caramel Sauce)

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 14
• 2 cups walnut halves
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate morsels (18 ounces)
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Recipe

• 1 for the crust: preheat oven to 350°f.
• 2 place nuts, brown sugar, flour and butter in food processor container; cover. process until mixture resembles coarse meal. press onto bottom of ungreased 10-inch springform pan.
• 3 bake for 5 minutes. cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• 4 for the filling: heat cream in medium saucepan over medium heat just to boiling. remove from heat; stir in morsels. let stand for 5 minutes. stir until chocolate is melted. cool for 15 minutes.
• 5 beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl on medium speed until smooth. add chocolate mixture; beat on low speed until just combined. add eggs; stir until just combined. pour into prepared crust. place pan on baking sheet.
• 6 bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly. cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; run knife around edge of cheesecake. cool for 30 minutes. remove side of springform pan. cool completely on wire rack. cover; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• 7 for the caramel sauce: melt butter in small saucepan. stir in brown sugar and cream. bring mixture to a boil. reduce heat to low; boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes. cool slightly.
• 8 serve cheesecake with warm caramel sauce and whipped cream.