Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake

I made this recipe from southern living for christmas and everyone just loved it! The recipe makes two 9 inch cheesecakes so it feeds a lot of people. This three layered cheesecake has a rich brownie bottom layer with a center layer of cream cheese and a decadently rich chocolate glaze covering the top. the recipe is easily halved. the chocolate glaze top layer is intended to divide between the two cheesecakes. however, i used one full recipe to top one cheesecake. allow 8 hours chilling time. This cheesecake is absolutely delicious and i am sure you will enjoy it, too!!

Steps

Sprinkle 1 / 2 cup toasted and chopped pecans evenly over the bottom of each of 2 greased and floured 9-inch springform pans.

Microwave chocolate squares in a microwave-safe bowl at medium 1 1 / 2 minutes , stirring at 30-second intervals until melted.

Stir until smooth.

Beat butter and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add 4 eggs , 1 at a time , beating just until blended after each addition.

Add melted chocolate , beating just until blended.

Add flour , beating at low speed just until blended.

Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and chocolate morsels.

Divide batter evenly between pans , spreading over chopped pecans.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add 1 3 / 4 cups sugar , beating until well blended.

Add 7 eggs , 1 at a time , beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Divide cream cheese mixture evenly between each pan , spreading over brownie batter.

Bake at 325.

Ingredients

pecans, unsweetened chocolate squares, butter, sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate morsel, cream cheese, vanilla, semisweet chocolate morsels, whipping cream, mint sprig, strawberry