Now that we are finished with the Super Bowl Sunday festivities, it's time to move on to sweeter things. To that end, I introduce you to the :

                                      Heath Caramel Crunch Cheesecake

Just look at that cheesecake ! Mouth watering isn't it !! Ohh the chocolate ! The caramel ! All topped off with generous helping of yummy Heath crunchies!!!

Just look at a closeup of that caramel running over the side!!  And what a cute little dollup of whipped cream used a complimentary garnish! Awwwww!

Now, I bet after looking at something so yummy, you want more than anything to learn how to make that cheesecake!!

Well here's how:

The Cheesecake:

1  9 in. springform pan

At least 1 package of oreo cookies (or take a shortcut and use the prepackaged oreo cookie crumb pie crusts(use 2) )

4 tbsp. sugar (for crumb crust) (diabetics - use Splenda)

3 tbsp. melted butter or margarine

5 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese , (make sure it's softened)

1 1/3 cups sugar (for diabetics- You can use Splenda with the same measurements)

3 tbsp. flour

1 tbsp. pure vanilla  extract, (not imitation)( you can add a little more, but not too much depending upon if you want a little more vanilla flavoring) 

1 cup of sour cream

4 eggs

Preheat your oven to 325 deg. F (163 deg C)

Mix  the Oreo crumbs ,the 4 tbsp. sugar and melted butter(or margarine). Press this mixture firmly onto the bottom of the 9 in. springform pan.  Bake at 325 deg. F ( 163 deg C  for 10 minutes.

Beat the cream cheese, 1 1/3 cups sugar, the 3 tbsp flour, and 1 tbsp. vanilla extract with an electric mixer until well blended. Add the sour cream; mix well.

Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each edition until blended.

 Pour into the springform pan over the Oreo crumbs.

Bake at 325 deg. F ( 163 deg. C)  for 1 hour 5 minutes or until the center is almost set.

 Loosen cake from rim of springform pan. Cool the cake before removing the rim of the springform pan. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or better yet refrigerate over night.

Now it's time to have some creative fun  with:

The Topping:

You will need the following:

1/2 a bag of chocolate chips (diabetics- use Hershey's sugar free mini chocolate candy bars)

1 plastic or metal chocolate mold ( containing any small shapes you desire- can be purchased at Hobby Lobby, Walmart (the craft section),Micheal's, etc.

1 bag of Heath crunchies (sold in the baking items section of your local grocer) (or make your own-the recipe will be posted). In a pinch you can also purchase about 4-5 Heath bars and crumble them up.(diabetics-use diabetic candy here- sugar free peanut butter cups etc.)

1 can of whipped cream ( I haven't tried non dairy - but I imagine it can't hurt if that's what you want to use)

1 cup of light brown sugar

Let's start with the chocolate:

Take the  1/2 bag of chocolate chips and pour them into a microwave safe bowl (or use a paper one for that matter). Melt the chips for at least one minute (you might require more time depending upon your oven). I don't liquify my chips in the microwave. I find that when I do- Po'  ol'  clumsy me tends to burn them! I melt mine until they are extremely soft, then I stir them until they are smooth. Once your chocolate is melted, spoon it into the mold and freeze in the freezer until the chocolate solidifies. As a matter of fact you can leave them in the freezer until you actually need them on the cake.

The Caramel:

In a sauce pot put your light brown sugar and spray a liberal helping of whipped cream. Turn on the heat up to medium. Stir until the cream and the sugar are well blended. continue heating and stirring until the sugar granuals are melted into the cream. Pour the caramel over the cheesecake. Allow your caramel to cool some. Why ? You ask. Because at this point, you can either add your chocolate to the cake now and sprinkle the Heath around the chocolate pieces. (It's  a waste of time to have your chocolate melt after you've just worked so hard to mold it and freeze it) or you can add your chocolate after you put the Heath crunchies on top of your cheesecake.

The Heath Crunchies

Like I just said - take your crunchies and top the cheesecake with them.

As for the chocolate- I don't know what shape you used for your chocolate mold, but if you used the circles like I did, you can turn them  to the thin side and push them into the top of your cake just like the picture above. If you used some other shape that contains some sort of a straight edge, you can push these into the cake . If you used some shape that is better left flat, then top your cake with the Heath first then top withthe chocolate.

And now, get ready for the most difficult part of all......Are you ready for this? This part will keep you up in the kitchen all night, so be ready to burn the midnight oil.........

Sit down, savor, and enjoy this delectable cheesecake!!!!