CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter in a medium bowl; press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 10 inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add sugar and almond extract; beat until smooth.
• Add 1/2 cup of the whipping cream; blend well.
• Spoon 3 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture into the crust lined pan, spreading evenly.
• Carefully spread 1 cup of the pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer; reserve the remaining pie filling for the topping.
• Spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over the pie filling layer.
• Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is set.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
• Bring the other 1/2 cup of whipping cream to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips.
• Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
• Remove the sides of the springform pan.
• Place cheesecake on the paper lined cookie sheet.
• Spread the chocolate glaze evenly over the top of the cheesecake allowing some of the glaze to run down the sides.
• Chill for at least 3 hours or over night.
• Serve topped with the remaining pie filling.