Ultimate Turtle Cheesecake

I found this recipe on a box of Philadelphia cream cheese several years ago and was in the mood to make it today. It is way better than the one you buy at Sam's!!

2 cups Oreo Chocolate Cookie Crumbs
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1 bag (14-oz) Kraft Caramels
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Planters Pecan Pieces
3 pkgs (8-oz each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

Mix crumbs and butter; press onto bottom and 2 inches up side of 9-inch springform pan. Place caramels and milk in small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 3 minutes or until caramels are melted, stirring after each minute. Pour 1/2 of caramel mixture into crust. Refrigerate 10 minutes. Set remaining caramel mixture aside for later use.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over caramel mixture in crust.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set if using a silver springform pan. (Bake at 300 for 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set if using a dark nonstick springform pan.) Run knife or metal spatula around side of pan to loosen cake, cool before removing side of pan.

Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Top with remaining caramel mixture and pecans just before serving. Melt chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over cheesecake. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator. Makes 16 servings.

Ok...I don't buy the Oreo crumbs. I buy a package of Oreos and break them up in a food processor and then eat the leftovers. Sorry weight-loss group but that's what I do!! :D It only takes about 1 1/2 rows of cookies to make two cups.

Enjoy!!