Caramel Pecan Praline Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnaps (about 24)
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted and divided

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 15 caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. 1

   Stir together gingersnaps and 1/4 cup melted butter; press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch sprinform pan.

2. 2

   Beat cream cheese, sugar, and 2 tablespoons flour at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla, and salt; beat 3 minutes. Pour batter into prepared crust. Set aside.

3. 3

   Stir together brown sugar, pecans, remaining 1/4 cup flour, and remaining 1/4 cup melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle around edge of cream cheese mixture.

4. 4

   Bake at 300 for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until center is firm. Turn off oven. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours. Drizzle caramel topping on edge of chilled cheesecake, if desired.

5. 5

   To make caramel topping, place caramels and whipping cream in a 1-cup microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring halfway through cooking time, until melted.

6. 6

   Note: Commercial caramel ice-cream topping may be substituted for caramel topping.

7. 7

   Once cheesecake is sliced, add a dollop of whipped cream, an extra sprinkle of toasted pecans, and drizzle caramel across the top and over sides of each slice.