Mocha Cheesecake. Crazy Cooking Challenge

When I received the email on this month's Crazy Cooking Challenge I was a bit excited and a lot intimidated.  See, I've never baked a cheesecake before.  Oh, sure, I've plopped a brick of cream cheese in a bowl with some instant pudding and some Cool Whip, but never actually baked one.  In fact, I don't even own a spring-form pan.

So, as you can see, this month's cooking challenge, was just that....a challenge.  I searched the internet.  Google, Pinterest, Facebook, anywhere I could think to look for a great cheesecake recipe.

I always find some of the best recipes on About.com, and sure enough, that's where I found this gem.   The only problem?  It's Monday and the challenge goes live on Tuesday!  I sure hope this works.

Mocha Cheesecake

Ingredients

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust (2 extra servings)

24 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

6 oz semi-sweet baker's chocolate

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup strong-brewed coffee

Directions

Melt chocolate and set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the heavy cream.

Pour the chocolate slowly into the cheese, and add the coffee and vanilla.  Stir well until blended.

Pour the batter into the crust and bake at 350˚ for 45 minutes or until the sides of the pie are puffed slightly.  Cool, with the oven door cracked, then cool to room temperature. Chill before serving. Store in refrigerator.

And, there ya have it.  My very first baked cheesecake. Ever.  And you were witness to it.  I hope you try it out too; it was very good.  I thought, after I had the chocolate all mixed, this would be great as a marbled cheesecake as well.  I think I just might have to try that too.

If you can't get enough cheesecake, check out some of the other great cheesecake recipes.  I know they will be happy to have you. :)