Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

Chocoholics Rejoice!

Restaurant Dessert Recipe Is Yours!

Calling all chocoholics! This Chocolate Almond Cheesecake is for you!

My family and restaurant guests enjoy a good meal, but whenever I feature this cheesecake recipe, everyone tries to save room for dessert.

In fact, the restaurant has one guest who, after being seated at dinner time, asks the server if this particular cheesecake is available. If it is, he orders 2 pieces with coffee - no dinner. This is not a recommended practice, but he insists that is the way he wants it.

The graham cracker crust of this cheesecake holds a creamy filling flavored with almond extract and is then enhanced with a layer of chocolate and almond garnish.

Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

Favorite Restaurant Dessert Recipe

Preparation time: 25 minutes (including topping and crust). 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds of cream cheese, chopped
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 graham cracker crust (recipe below)
Chopped or slivered almonds for garnish (toasted, if desired)
Milk chocolate kisses and whipped cream for optional garnish

Ingredients for crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup sugar

Instructions for crust:

Combine crust ingredients and mix well
Press evenly into a spring form pan and put in the freezer while making the cheesecake filling

Instructions for filling:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F
Put cream cheese into a food processor and process until smooth using the on / off motion but do not over mix
Add sugar, eggs and extracts and process until well blended (15-20 seconds)
Pour into the chilled crust and bake about 45 - 50 minutes the preheated (300 degrees F) oven
Cheesecake is done when it springs back when lightly touched in the center (cheesecake will shake slightly when moved)
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and run a knife around the inside edge of the pan
Refrigerate the cheesecake

Topping:

Melt together, 6 ounces of chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of butter
Spread over the cooled cheesecake and garnish with chopped or silvered almonds, chocolate curls or some chocolate kisses
If desired, add a little whipped cream to each piece when serving