Chocolate-Marbled Almond Cheesecake

daisygrl64's Note:

This rich, dark chocolate marbled cheesecake, on a almond crust is meant for those with a passion for chocolate. Looks so rich :) just don't count calories! If you are counting calories, it is forgiven over the Holiday Season ;) Preperation time includes setting time. Land-o-Lakes Cookbook.

• Total Time: 12 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 11 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 cups sugar
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese , softened
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips , melted
• 2 ounces blanched almonds , finely chopped

Directions:

1. heat oven to 325*F.
2. in large mixer bowl combine sugar and cream cheese. beat at medium speed scraping bowl often until light and fluffy.
3. continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until creamy.
4. add remaining ingredients except chocolate chips and almonds.
5. continue beating, scraping bowl often until well mixed.
6. by hand fold in melted chocolate chips to swirl chocolate throughout batter for marble effect.
7. lightly butter 9" springform pan; press almonds firmly on bottom of pan.
8. pour batter into prepared pan.
9. bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until set.
10. turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven for 2 hours.
11. loosen sides of cheesecake from pan by running knife around inside of pan.
12. cool completely.
13. cover, refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
14. store refrigerated.