French Chocolate Cheesecake

I can remember being a kid a pouring over the pages of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was fascinated...drawn in by the complete escapism the book lent to me at that early age. I was probably in grade 4 or 5 and I remember my teacher asking me if I could return the book (I was a Chocolate Factory hog) so other kids, too, could have a chance to read it. I wanted it all to myself. Why, why, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy do I have to give it back???? **having a Veruca fit**

I had visions of walking through that factory...my mind was filled with Everlasting Gobstoppers, Fizzy Lifting drinks and Rainbow Drops galore!! My favorite part was when Violet chews the magic stick of gum. The one that gives her a full course roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, and that she could taste every last bite, right down to the blueberry pie for dessert!! I couldn't possibly imagine the technology behind THAT stunt.

My dad always says, "If Wendy made it, then it has to either be made of chocolate or cream cheese". And that is a bad thing how????? Yes, it is true. I admit it. And I will fight tooth and nail to be the one to make dessert. I feel just like Bree on last week's episode of Desperate Housewives...not to be outdone by someone else's prize winning Lemon pie. I try not to be so dominant, but it just happens. See what you have done, Charlie????

Most of what is good in life somehow is related to chocolate. When chocolate melts in our mouths it produces feelings of pleasure. That in itself is a bonus. When winter comes and stays for 6 months...hot chocolate helps warm our bones. Seriously...we have national holidays that would seem somehow violated if chocolate was not involved. I mean, what would Easter be without the eggs and bunnies??? Valentines day?? What would happen if all the pretty boxes contained icky hard candy?? Or worse yet...licorice?? **shudder**

To quote Martha, it is a Good Thing. If we can have just one pleasure in life, it should be good chocolate. No cheap-it-looks-like-it-was-Turtle-waxed stuff. I mean go NOW to Godiva. Make it worth every bite. Or, go to your kitchen and make this cheesecake. It might not be Godiva, but it runs a close second. It melts like a magic elixir on your tongue. Just like Violet's magic chewing gum. Only better.


French Chocolate Cheesecake
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Crust:
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1 1/2 cups ground pecans
1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter

Filling:
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2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3-8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients. Press in bottom and up sides of greased and parchment paper lined 10" spring form pan. ***DO NOT USE SMALLER PAN...the filling comes right to the top of the 10" pan**** Set crust aside.

Filling:
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HEAT cream in medium saucepan over medium heat just to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted. Cool for 15 minutes.

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.

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes 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 spring form pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Cover; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Garnish as desired. This makes one massive and heavy cheesecake!! Dig in!! And don't forget the caramel sauce!!