LAYERED TURTLE CHEESECAKE

Love this recipe from an old Taste of Home contest.

CRUST:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
6 tbsp cold butter, cubed

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 18-inches square). Wrap foil tightly around the pan.

In a bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and pecans; cut in the butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees 12 to 15 minutes or until set. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

FILLING:
4 pkgs (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup + 1 tsp all-purpose flour, divided
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/3 cup chopped pecans

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and both sugars until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup of the flour, whipping cream, and vanilla extract. Add eggs and beat on low speed just until blended. Remove 1 cup of the batter to a small bowl and stir in the melted chocolate; spread over the cooled crust.

In another small bowl, mix the caramel topping with the 1 teaspoon of remaining flour; stir in the pecans. Drop by tablespoonfuls over the chocolate batter. Top with the remaining batter.

Place the springform pan in a large baking pan and pour 1-inch of hot water into the baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours until the center is just set and the top appears dull. Remove the springform pan from the water bath then remove the foil. Cool cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the sides of the pan to loosen cake. Allow to cool on a wire rack for another hour.

Refrigerate overnight.

GANACHE:
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Additional caramel ice cream topping, if desired

Place chips in a small heat-proof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the whipping cream just to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chips and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Remove sides of the pan.

Spread the ganache over top of cheesecake and sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Refrigerate until set.

If desired, drizzle with additional caramel topping before cutting to serve.