#57 Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

This recipe comes from Taste of Home (December/January 1999, p25). This was the very first baked cheesecake that I ever made! The recipe along with a picture can be found online at http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Dough-Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• CRUST:
• 1-¾ cups crushed chocolate chips cookies or chocolate wafer crumbs
• ¼ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup butter, melted
• 
  
• FILLING:
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• COOKIE DOUGH:
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1-½ cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in up the sides of a greased 9-in. pan. Place pan on a baking sheet; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low just until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla; beat just until blended. Pour over crust; set aside.

3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add water and vanilla. Gradually add flour. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls over filling, gently pushing dough below surface (dough should be completely covered by filling). Place pan on a baking sheet.

4. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

5. Remove sides of pan. Sprinkle with remaining chips. Refrigerate leftovers.

(Serves 14)