Refreshing Choco-Orange Cheesecake

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup HERSHEY’®S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups dairy sour cream
2 teaspoons orange extract
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
Whipped topping
Orange wedges (optional)

1. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar in small bowl; pat firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

2. Place chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute or just until chips are melted when stirred.

3. Beat cream cheese and remaining 1-3/4 cups sugar in large bowl; add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in sour cream and orange extract. Stir 3 cups cream cheese mixture into melted chocolate chips; pour into crust. Freeze 10 to 15 minutes or until chocolate sets.

4. Heat oven to 325°F. Stir orange peel into remaining cream cheese mixture; gently spread over chocolate mixture.

5. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes or until set except for 3-inch circle in center; turn off oven. Let stand in oven, with door ajar, 1 hour; remove from oven. With knife, loosen cheesecake from side of pan. Cool completely; remove side of pan. Cover; refrigerate. Garnish with whipped topping and orange wedges, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Helen December 19, 2005 at 12:21 pm

My Aunt and I are going to try this on Wednesday, will let you now what happened.

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