Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake Valentine’s Day Dessert

Yet again, my food loving-boyfriend and I are making dinner together this Valentine’s Day. Last year we made butternut squash soup, mushroom risotto, and grilled salmon. Never ones to settle, this year’s menu consists of bacon wrapped dates, mushroom and scallop linguine, and a super secret surprise dessert.

This year we decided to make our dinner together, but he plans to surprise with a specialty cocktail and I plan to surprise him with an ultimate Valentine’s Day dessert. The problem is that I want to share my decadent dessert recipe with you without him discovering what I’m preparing.

That said, I already warned him not to read my blog, but I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll check it out anyway.

Boyfriend — If you are reading this, this is your last chance to turn away. Go watch soccer or something.

For everyone else, here’s my sexy Valentine’s Day dessert recipe

Sultry Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients: (Serves 16)

• 24 Oreos (finely crushed — I put them in a plastic bag and beat them with a rolling pin)
• 6 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 package of chewy caramel candy
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Boyfriend — Please stop reading
• 3 packages of cream cheese (softened)
• ¾ cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Step 2: Mix together Oreo crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 9 inch spring-form pan.

Step 3: Boyfriend — Why are you still reading?!?! Microwave caramels and milk in a microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 3 minutes (stir after each minute). Stir in pecans and pour half of the caramel sauce into the bottom of the crust. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Place remaining caramel in the refrigerator.

Step 4: Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time on a low speed. Pour over caramel layer in crust.

Step 5: Boyfriend — Really, really? You’re still reading? Well someone’s not getting any cheesecake. Bake for about 1 hour and 5 minutes or until center is almost set.

Step 6: Remove from oven and run a knife along the rim of the pan to loosen the cake. Cool before removing the rim. Refrigerate for 4 hours.

Step 7: Microwave reserved caramel mixture for 1 minute. Pour over cheesecake. Place chocolate in a resealable, freezer-grade plastic bag. Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until chocolate melts. Cut a small piece from one of the bottom corner of the bag. Hold top of the bag closed and drizzle over cheesecake.

Step 8: Boyfriend — SMH. Serve and enjoy.

There you have it, the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert! It’s salty, sweet, crunchy, and smooth. Who could ask for anything better? Boyfriend — Happy Valentine’s Day!