EASY RICH CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

FOR THE ALMOND CRUMB CRUST:
1 cup finely chopped slivered almonds
3/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
FOR THE CHEESECAKE:
1 (8 ounce) package Hershey's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate, broken into pieces
3 packages (3 ounce each) each cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cold whipping cream

TO PREPARE THE ALMOND CRUMB CRUST:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Stir together almonds, vanilla wafer crumbs, and 1 powdered sugar in medium bowl. Pour melted butter or margarine over crumb mixture; blend well. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2-inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.

TO PREPARE THE CHEESECAKE:
Place chocolate in small microwave safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH, 100%, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted when stirred. Set aside; cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, butter and vanilla in large bowl until smooth. Add melted chocolate; beat on low speed of electric mixer.

Beat whipping cream in small bowl until stiff; fold into chocolate mixture. Pour mixture into prepared crust.

Cover; refrigerate until firm.

Makes about 8 servings
Source: Hershey's