Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

A New Year and a new cheesecake to try. And this cheesecake is delicious. Some people use New Year's Day to begin clean eating. I prefer to start the year with a decadent cheesecake. This cheesecake features a swirl of chocolate and vanilla accompanied by a delicious graham cracker crust. This cheesecake is a great way to celebrate a new year, or just any day of the year.

I like all cheesecakes, but I might like baked cheesecakes better than no-bake cheesecake. (But I rarely if ever say no to any cheesecake.) It might be that baked cheesecakes are more like cake. No matter what kind of cheesecake you usually prefer, you will find this cheesecake is worth giving a try. This baked cheesecake appears fancy, but is so easy to make.

Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake 

• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 eggs

Preheat oven to 325. Melt the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup sugar until mixture is smooth. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press into a 9-inch pie pan or springform pan, covering the bottom and 1 1/2 inch up the side. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and creamy. Gradually beat in the 3/4 cup sugar. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg. Divide the batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into first half and pour chocolate batter into the pie pan. Cover with the plain batter. With a knife, swirl the plain and chocolate batter to create marble pattern. Bake for 50 minutes or until a two to three inch circle in the center will shake. Cool at room temperature; refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!