White Chocolate Cheesecake With Macadamia Caramel Sauce

This is from Godiva and it is so rich and delicious, that you can only make this once a year! I didn't include cooling and chilling times. Don't let the instructions long list bother you - they are very simple and well written, if I say so myself.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 50 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

• 1 1⁄2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1⁄3 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 6  tablespoons butter, melted

• CHEESECAKE FILLING

• 3 (1 1/2ounce)  Godiva ivory chocolate bars, coarsely chopped
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 3⁄4 cup heavy cream
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar
• 3  large eggs, at room temp
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract

• MACADAMIA CARAMEL SAUCE

• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 1⁄2 cup  toasted  macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF.
2. Lightly butter 9-inch springform pan.
3. Tightly wrap bottom of pan with heavy duty aluminum foil.
4. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in bowl.
5. Press mixture in bottom of prepared pan.
6. Refrigerate crust while preparing filling.
7. MAKE THE FILLING:
8. Place solid ivory, butter and cream in small microwave-safe bowl.
9. Microwave on medium(50% power) for 1 minutes.
10. Stir.
11. Microwave 30 seconds more or until chocolate is softened.
12. Stir until smooth and let cool.
13. Beat cream cheese in mixing bowl until smooth, using electric mixer at medium speed.
14. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
15. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
16. Mix in vanilla and cooled solid ivory mixture, using low speed.
17. Pour mixture over crust.
18. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until top is slightly puffed and center is just firm.
19. Turn off oven and leave cheesecake in oven for 1 hour more and prop open oven door.
20. Cool in pan on wire rack.
21. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
22. MAKE CARAMEL SAUCE:
23. To toast macadamia nuts, spread on baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for 8-10 minutes or until toasted.
24. Combine sugar, water and lemon juice in saucepan.
25. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture turns light golden brown.
26. Remove from heat.
27. Heat heavy cream in another saucepan until it comes to a gentle boil.
28. Gradually add hot cream to sugar mixture, stirring until blended.
29. Cool completely.
30. ASSEMBLE THE DESSERTS:
31. Loosen edge of cheesecake with a knife.
32. Remove sides of springform pan.
33. Cut into wedges.
34. Add macadamia nuts to caramel sauce.
35. Heat sauce over low heat and stir until sauce thins.
36. Spoon over cheesecake wedges and serve immediately.
37. Enjoy, you've earned it!