Recipe: Turtle Cheese Pie

Turtle Cheese Pie

Serves 5 to 6

Turtle Cheese Pie One of my favorite confections, pecans sitting on a mound of caramel and covered with chocolate, inspired this sweet pie.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. (160 degreees C.)

9-inch (23 cm) pie plate, ungreased

CRUST
1-1/4 (300 mL) cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter, melted

FILLING
2 packages (each 8 oz/250 g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 oz (90 g) bittersweet chocolate chunks
3 oz (90 g) caramels, cut into quarters
1/4 cup (50 mL) pecans, toasted and chopped
1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla

DECORATION
3 oz (90 g) bittersweet chocolate

1. CRUST: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom and sides of pie plate and freeze.

2. FILLING: In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Fold in chocolate chunks, caramels, pecans and vanilla. Pour batter over frozen crust. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes or until the top is light brown and the center has a slight jiggle to it.

3. DECORATION: While pie is still hot, grate chocolate on top of entire pie. Cool on a rack for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.

TIP
When cutting caramels, dip the knife blade in hot water to keep them from sticking to the blade.

VARIATIONS
Try milk chocolate instead of bittersweet for a lighter color.

Sprinkle chopped pecans over top.

Buy the Book!

from:
125 Best Cheesecake Recipes
by George Geary
Publisher: Robert Rose
Paperback, 192 pages
Price U.S. $18.95
Price Canada: $19.95
ISBN: 0778800547
Recipe reprinted by permission.