Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake

Makes about 12 Servings

Chocolate Crust (recipe follows)

1 3/4 semi-sweet chocolate chunks, divided

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. Kahlua, divided

24 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup, cocoa

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Prepare Chocolate Crust.

In microwave-safe bowl, place 3/4 cup chocolate chunks. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until chunks are melted, stir. Add 1/4 cup whipping cream and 1/4 cup Kahlua, stir until blended. In mixer bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add cocoa; beat until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla and reserved chocolate mixture. Pour over prepared crust. Bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Decrease to 275 degrees F and bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven to cool; loosen cake from rim of pan and remove. In microwave-safe bowl, place remaining chocolate chunks. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until chunks are melted, stir. Stir in 1/4 cup whipping cream and 2 Tbsp. Kahlua; blend well. Spread on top of cake. Refrigerate 6 hours. At serving time, beat remaining whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff; garnish cake with small rosettes of whipped cream. Refrigerate leftover cake. Decadent and delicious.

CHOCOLATE CRUST: Mix 1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs, 1/4 cup melted butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar. Press onto bottom and part way up sides of 9-inch springform pan. Freeze 5 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees F, 10 minutes.

The above Cheesecake is from an old recipe that I have and it is really, really decadent. Just as much fun as “The Golden Girls” used to have on their TV show when they would all gather around the table for Cheesecake and coffee when they needed to discuss anything.

Staub has a new French Style dutch oven that is as awesome as a Le Creuset. I love the design and color. Just looking at it with the blue and white French style dish towel beside it makes me smile.

Because blue and white just looks so French style, I love the looks of the above dish pattern.

I like the style of the above Spring jacket. It’s just right for the Spring weather that is just around the corner.

I also like the above jacket that is found on the Nordstrom website.

I saw the above wreath and just liked it. Lavender is so beautiful and that wreath is sold out on line at Michaels Crafts, but there are a limited number of them available at their stores.

And those are the things that are worthy of a smile for today.