8 1/2 oz Chocolate wafers, fine crush
1/2 c Butter, melted
12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 c Heavy cream
16 oz Cream cheese, softened
1/4 c Sugar
4 ea Large eggs
3/4 c Cherry flavored liqueur
1 ts Vanilla extract
1 lb Cherry pie filling
1/2 c Heavy cream whipped (opt.)
In large bowl, combine chocolate wafer crumbs and butter. Pat fimly
into 9-inch springform pan, covering bottom and 2 1/2 inches up sides.
Chill. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine over hot (not boiling)
water, chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir until morsels are melted
and mixture is smooth. Set aside. In large bowl, combine cream cheese
and sugar, beating untl creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating
well after each addition. Add chocolate mixture, cherry liqueur, and
vanilla, mix until blended. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 325
degrees F. for 60 minutes. Turn oven off. Let stand in oven with
door ajar 1 hour. Remove, cool completely. Chill 24 hours. Spread
cherry pie filling over top of cheesecake leaving 1-inch from the
edge. Decorate edge with whipped cream, if desired.
Yields
16 Servings