Chocolate Chip Cheesecake: Happy Birthday Angel Girl!

It’s birthday time at our house again! It’s Angel Girl’s 10th birthday tomorrow and she’s very excited!

We had planned to celebrate tomorrow, but the flooding in Des Moines caused us to move things up a day so Poppa and Nana can get back home before things get worse.

I’m pretty flexible, but this change of plans threw me for a loop because it didn’t give me any time to go to the grocery store. I had to do an entire party from my pantry, including the cake. Good thing I had a well-stocked pantry!

I did not, however have all the ingredients needed to make the Green Dragon Dessert she requested for her cake. Nor did I have everything I needed for the other two suggestions she gave.

Finally I remembered the cream cheese I had bought on sale and froze. I suggested cheesecake and she loved the idea!

This was the first cheesecake I ever made (I’m blushing to admit that!) and I prayed over this one. I put together two different recipes but it turned out just wonderful and I have a very happy birthday girl.

Angel Girl’s Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Combine: 2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 36 squares), 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of butter (melted). Press into the bottom and about 1 inch up the side of a greased 10 inch springform pan. Set aside.

Mix together: 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese (softened), 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla

Add 3 eggs, beat on low until just combined. Stir in 1 cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Pour into crust and bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Cool on wire rack for ten minutes.

Melt together: 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 Tablespoon butter, 4 teaspoons heavy whipping cream. Stir till smooth.

Pour over the cheesecake and spread it evenly.

Carefully run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen. Cool one hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of the pan.

I let Angel girl decorate the top with M & M’s. She’s thrilled with it, and I am relieved!

Happy birthday, Angel Girl!