These Ghirardelli Turtle Cheesecake Squares are the perfect way to say “I love you” on Valentine’s Day!
After having children, my husband and I started moving our Valentine’s date night to the evening before or following the actual day. I’m a very traditional gal, but I’m also super practical. Here’s our reasoning: 1. It’s very difficult to find a babysitter on Valentine’s Day! 2. We’d rather not wait an hour to be seated when we’re starving. 3. We’re not a huge fan of crowds.
So on the real Valentine’s Day, we love relaxing at home, enjoying a delicious dinner in, and finishing it off with an indulgent handmade dessert.
Our confection of choice this year? These rich, incredible Turtle Cheesecake Squares.
A Valentine’s dessert must include chocolate or I’d rather not partake. Ok, so I’m being a little dramatic. I probably couldn’t help but devour a few bites, but a chocolate-loaded dessert to me is the epitome of the special day. I can’t celebrate Love Day without the thing that has my heart, along with my dear husband and children, of course. 🙂
Why hello gorgeous! Try a bite you say? Don’t mind if I do. Just don’t be surprised when you’re gone without a trace.
Be sure to prepare these a day in advance, because they need to chill overnight. Trust me…they’re more than worth it. 🙂
{GHIRARDELLI TURTLE
CHEESECAKE SQUARES}
Recipe adapted from here
Crust
2 1/2 c. crushed graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. sugar
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 c. Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Chips (for use just after crust is baked)
Cheesecake Filling
24 oz. cream cheese softened (3 blocks)
1/4 c. full fat sour cream
3/4 c. sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 large eggs
Topping
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, (optional: toasted)
3/4 an 11-oz. bag of caramel bits or caramel squares
1 c. Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Chips
2-4 T. Milk
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with parchment paper so it extends over the sides of the pan. In a bowl, mix crust ingredients together with a fork. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake crust for approximately 25 minutes. Prepare the cheesecake filling in the meantime.
Cream together cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time. After crust bakes, remove from oven and immediately sprinkle on 1/2 c. baking chips (can use more, if desired). Pour cheesecake filling over chocolate chips and return to oven. Bake for 50 minutes, or until set. It will look puffy, but will condense once refrigerated. Allow cheesecake to cool for about an hour, then place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
The next day, remove cheesecake from pan, using parchment paper, and place on serving platter. Prepare toppings.
Optional: Toast pecans in the oven for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees. Place caramels, along with 2-4 T. milk (start with 2) in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30 second increments, stirring between, until smooth.
Pour caramel sauce over cheesecake and immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans. Place 1 c. chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Drizzle over caramel-pecan topping. Allow chocolate and caramel to set before serving. Cut into bars and enjoy! Store in the refrigerator for up to one day.
A crumbly graham cracker, pecan-infused crust is topped with a generous layer of sweetened cream cheese and baked to absolute perfection. Then, it’s stored in the refrigerator overnight to meld the flavors and refine the textures.
Next, as if that wasn’t enough to make you hand over your heart, the delight-filled things are drizzled with gooey caramel and luscious melted Ghirardelli Baking Chips (of the 60% Cacao Bittersweet variety, nonetheless). The chips come in a larger size, now, for an even bigger flavor sensation! And you know that with Ghirardelli, the results are sure to impress!
You’d probably agree with me when I say that Ghirardelli knows how to make chocolate. Talk about yumm-o! They offer a myriad of premium options for all our baking needs, all with a perfectly smooth texture when melted or popped in your mouth for enjoyment. 🙂
I love that the sweetness of the cheesecake and crust are fabulously offset by the bittersweet chips.So there you have it. A totally splurge-worthy delight. The perfect finale to a romantic candlelight dinner or a share-able indulgence while watching that favorite chick flick.
It’s not Valentine’s Day without Ghirardelli. I hope you have a sweets-filled occasion!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Cathy
www.threekidsandafish.com
Have a great weekend.
Linda