Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake

DECADENT CHOCOLATE AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

FOR THE CRUST:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar

FOR THE FILLING:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
8 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/3 cup amaretto liqueur

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

TO MAKE THE CRUST:
Melt the butter and combine with other crust ingredients. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Melt the chocolate and set it aside to cool. Soften the cream cheese and beat it with the sugar until the mixture is smooth.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream, melted chocolate, vanilla, almond extract, and amaretto. Turn the mixture into the crust.

Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove to a rack and allow to cool completely; then cover loosely and chill for at least 12 hours.

Makes 1 (10-inch) cheesecake
Source: The Everything Christmas Recipes Mini Book by Adams Media