Pecan Pie Cheesecake

. If you are wanting a dessert to finish off the year  before you start your New Year Resolutions this is the worth the effort. This recipe was the 2002 Southern Living Cook-Off Grand Prize Winner and it definitely deserved the prize.

A store  bought Pecan pie helps to make this an easy recipe, you could also make your own pie.

Ingredients:

1 Pecan pie (thawed)

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 ( 8oz)  packages cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

2/3 cup sour cream

1/2 cup half and half

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 tbsp flour

pecan halves, optional

Stir together cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and butter. Press mixture onto bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of 10-inch springform pan.

Cut pie into thin slices, keeping intact, you won't use the whole pie.  Place slices in a spoke design, (leaving a space between slices),  in prepared pan. I removed the top edge of the pie crust.

Beat cream cheese until smooth, add eggs, one at a time, beat until blended. Add sour cream, half and half, and vanilla. Fold in powdered sugar and flour. Carefully pour mixture evenly over pecan pie wedges, making sure wedges remain in place. Arrange optional pecan halves evenly around edge.

Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. Turn off oven and let cheesecake stand in oven 1 hour. Remove to wire rack, and let cool completely. Chill at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.

I will be posting this to This Week's Cravings, Gold Star Wednesday's, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Foodie Friday, Tuesdays on the Table, What's Cooking Wednesday