GERMAN CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, coconut and pecans.
• Press evenly into bottom and 1/2-inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
• Cool slightly.
• Increase oven temperature to 375°F.
• In a saucepan, melt the chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat; cool.
• In large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, sour cream and vanilla with electric mixer until thoroughly combined.
• Add the flour and beat well.
• Add the eggs and cooled chocolate all at once; beat on low speed until just combined.
• Spoon into cooled crust.
• Place on shallow baking pan in oven.
• Bake at 375°F for 45 to 50 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken.
• Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes.
• Loosen cake from sides of pan.
• Cool 30 minutes longer; remove sides of pan.
• Cool completely on wire rack.
• To make Coconut-Pecan Topping: In small saucepan, melt butter.
• Stir in brown sugar, half and half and corn syrup.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until it is bubbly.
• Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla.
• Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
• Spread Coconut-Pecan Topping over cheesecake.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours.
• Garnish with pecan halves dipped half-way in chocolate.