Turtle Cheesecake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 (14 ounce) package caramels
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted and divided
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsel, melted and slightly cooled
whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

Combine crumbs and butter; blend well.
Press into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set; cool.
In a saucepan over low heat, melt caramels in milk, stirring until smooth.
Cool 5 minutes.
Pour into crust; top with 1 1/2 cups of pecans.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add sugar and vanilla; mix well.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add chocolate; mix just until blended.
Carefully spread over pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until filling is almost set.
Cool to room temperature.
Chill overnight.
Ganish with remaining pecans and whipped cream if desired.