Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

Mmmmm, I love Turtles! And Turtle cheesecake too. If you want you can top it with chocolate curls, or chocolate sauce, or whipped cream and pecans.

Crust:
2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter

Filling:
1 bag (14 oz.) caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Crust:
Combine chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9" springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes.

Filling:
In a heavy saucepan, combine caramels and evaporated milk. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Pour over crust. Top with pecans.

In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until light. Add eggs one at a time, while beating. Stir in melted chocolate.

Pour over pecans in crust. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes. Remove and let cool completely. Refrigerate at least 3 to 4 hours before serving.