RECIPE of the Day - 2/17/2007

If you love chocolate turtles candy - and who doesn't? - this is definitely the cheesecake for you. It has caramels, nuts, chocolate chips....yummy!

CHOCOLATE TURTLE CHEESECAKE

2 c. vanilla wafers, crushed

6 tbsp. butter, melted

14 oz. caramels

5 oz. evaporated milk

1 c. pecans, toasted

2 (8 oz.) cream cheese

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 c. chocolate chips, melted

Mix together 2 cups vanilla wafers and 6 tablespoons butter, melted. Put in springform pan and bake 10 minutes.

In heavy saucepan, melt 14 ounces caramels and 5 ounces evaporated milk until smooth. Pour over crust. Add 1 cup pecans, toasted.

Combine in blender: 2 (8 ounces) cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted. Pour over caramel mixture.

Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool overnight or refrigerate before removing from pan.

This is scrumptious!