Hot Fudge Cheesecake

(Photo courtesy of myrecipes.com )

This cheesecake's salty pecan crust perfectly complements the rich, bitter taste of the hot fudge and makes this cheesecake one of my family's favorites!

1 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs

Combine first four ingredients; stir well. Firmly press onto bottom and sides of a 7'' springform pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300°.

Combine chocolate squares and 3/4 cup butter and melt in microwave, stirring frequently. Let cool. Beat cream cheese at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add 3/4 cup sugar; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared crust.
Bake at 300° for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until almost set. Turn oven off and let cheesecake cool in oven for at least 30 minutes.

Today I posted my first entry on the Women for God Bible Study site, titled "Accepting the Criticism of Man."

"...When I made the decision to live at home with my family in an effort to better prepare for my future as a wife and mother instead of pursuing a college degree or full-time career, I faced a lot of criticism. It was through this experience that I first learned that criticism is often a discouraging by-product when the Lord calls us to make choices that go against the grain of what is expected in our culture. Sadly, it often appears that those closest to us seem to feel the most at liberty to voice their criticism regarding our choices. Rather than sulking in self-pity, we can find encouragement in scripture..."

To read the entire entry, click here.