Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbls. plus 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 (6-oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels
• 2 (8-oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 eggs

Directions

Makes 1 (9-inch) cheesecake.

1. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted butter. Mix well and pat into bottom and part way up the sides of an ungreased (9-inch) springform pan. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

3. Combine over hot (not boiling) water, the chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup sugar. Heat until morsels melt and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese until light and creamy. Gradually beat in 3/4 cup sugar. Mix in sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Divide batter in half. Stir chocolate mixture into first half. Pour into crumb-lined pan and top with plain batter. With a knife, swirl the plain batter with the chocolate batter to marbleize.

6. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until only a 2- to 3-inch circle in center will shake. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature. Then refrigerate until ready to serve.