Deluxe Chocolate Cheesecake

Delicious and creamy.

• Ready In: 1 hr 2 mins
• Serves: 12-14

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 2  tablespoons  melted butter
• 1 (3 ounce) package chocolate pudding mix (not instant)
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  cup milk
• 1  unsweetened chocolate square
• 24  ounces  pkges. cream cheese, softened
• 3  egg yolks
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  egg whites
• 1  cup sour cream (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Mix crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar, and the butter. Press into 9 inch springform pan to which sides have been greased. Press crumbs up sides of pan to within 1 inch from the top of pan.
2. Combine pudding mix, 3/4 sugar, and the milk in a saucepan.
3. Add chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until chocolate is melted and mixture comes to a full boil.
4. Remove from heat, cover surface with wax paper and set aside.
5. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.
6. Add egg yolks, beat well.
7. Blend in vanilla, salt, and pudding.
8. Beat egg whites, fold into cheese mixture. Pour into pan.
9. Bake on lowest oven rack at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.
10. Blend sour cream and confectioner's sugar; spread on hot cheese cake.
11. Bake at 425 degrees another 2 minutes.
12. Cool.