Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

A much-loved specialty of the house and one I have been making for a long time. My father (who likes chocolate -- so long as it's not mixed with anything else!) poo-pooed this recipe for years -- until he finally tried it!

Makes one 9-10-inch round cheesecake and lots of very happy and well-fed friends!



Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
  
• 1/3 cup melted butter
  
• 2 lbs. cream cheese
  
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
  
• 3 eggs
  
• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 cup sour cream
  
• 4 cups raspberries
  
• 3 oz. liquer (I use Maple Leaf Distillers' "Creme de la Creme Chocolate Raspberry Cream Liquor")
  
• 8 oz. fine bittersweet chocolate, melted

Directions:

To make the crust:

Combine the cookie crumbs with the melted butter.
Press onto the bottom of a greased 9 or 10 inch round springform pan.
Bake for 8 minutes at 350 F.

To make the filling:

Beat the cream cheese until soft.
Add sugar and corn starch and beat until smooth.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Beat in sour cream, 2 cups raspberries and liquer, then melted chocolate.
Pour filling over crust and bake at 350 F for 75 minutes (or until set).
Allow to cool 8 hours before removing from pan.

To garnish:

Carefully remove cheesecake from springform pan and place on serving platter.
Decorate with fresh raspberries.

Enjoy! (With many friends!)