Caramel Pecan Praline Cheesecake

ajena's kitchen's Note:

We try to eat well around our house most of the time. Once in awhile, we cut loose and have a bit of dessert. If your going to have dessert, make it a good one. Southern Living Nov 2003

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 ½ cups crushed gingersnaps (about 24)
• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine , melted and divided
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese , softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour , divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped pecans , toasted
• 15 caramels , unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. Stir together gingersnaps and 1/4 cup melted butter; press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch sprinform pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and 2 tablespoons flour at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt; beat 3 minutes. Pour batter into prepared crust. Set aside.
3. Stir together brown sugar, pecans, remaining 1/4 cup flour, and remaining 1/4 cup melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle around edge of cream cheese mixture.
4. Bake at 300 for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until center is firm. Turn off oven. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours. Drizzle caramel topping on edge of chilled cheesecake, if desired.
5. To make caramel topping, place caramels and whipping cream in a 1-cup microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring halfway through cooking time, until melted.
6. Note: Commercial caramel ice-cream topping may be substituted for caramel topping.
7. Once cheesecake is sliced, add a dollop of whipped cream, an extra sprinkle of toasted pecans, and drizzle caramel across the top and over sides of each slice.