Recipe for family meals :

It is many years since Hub-UK was first launched. It has been created from recipes contributed form all over the world, from professionals and amateurs alike. A great many of the recipes do not have any details as to who sent them in or from where they came. It would be a shame not to share them with you for this reason alone.

This recipe is one such recipe. If you know where it originated, or perhaps it is even yours, let me know and I will add the necessary credits and acknowledgements.

"The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking - love, for those you are cooking for" ~ Sophia Loren.

Ingredients

8 1/2 oz chocolate wafers, fine crush
1/2 cup butter, melted
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup double (heavy) cream
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
4 large eggs
3/4 cup cherry flavoured liqueur
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 lb cherry pie filling
1/2 cup double (heavy) cream whipped (optional)

Method

• In a large bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs and the butter.

• Press down firmly into 9-inch spring form pan so that the bottom is covered and 2 1/2 inches up the sides. Chill.

• Preheat oven to 160°C.

• Combine over hot (not boiling) water the chocolate chips and the double cream. Stir until the pieces are melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside.

• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar, beating until creamy.

• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

• Add the chocolate mixture, the cherry liqueur and the vanillaand then mix until completely combined. Pour into the prepared crust.

• Bake at 160°C for about 60 minutes. Turn oven off. Let stand in the oven with the door ajar for 1 hour.

• Remove and cool completely.

• Chill for 24 hours and then spread the cherry pie filling over the top of Cheesecake leaving 1 inch from the edge. Decorate edge with whipped cream.

Serves 16