Southern Pecan Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 40 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 2/3 cups light brown sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups chopped pecans, divided
• whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Place oats in food processor or blender; process to consistency of flour.

2. 2

   Combine oats with remaining crust ingredients; press into bottom of 10-inch springform pan. Chill.

3. 3

   Beat cream cheese with mixer until fluffy; slowly add brown sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and half of nuts. Mix and pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

4. 4

   Turn the oven off but leave the cake in the oven for 30 minutes more. To reduce the chance of cracks on the top surface, run a knife alongt he edge of the cheesecake as soon as you remove it from the oven. Let cool to room temperature; chill for 8 hours.

5. 5

   Remove sides of pan. Press additional chopped pecans around sides and pipe top with whipped cream.