Cheesecake Factory’s Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake & Ganache

Recipe for cheesecake found here. Ganache is found on the same page at the bottom. Listing it below the cheesecake recipe for us.

One 9-ounce package Chocolate Wafer Cookies processed into crumbs in food processor
1/4 cup Butter, melted
Three 8-ounce packages Cream Cheese softened
1 cup Sugar
3 Eggs
1 tablespoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
One 12 1/4-ounce jar Caramel Topping
1 3/4 cups coarsely chopped Pecans
Cheesecake Factory Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake Ganache Topping

Place an oven safe pan of water in the oven on the shelf below where you will be cooking the cheesecake shortly. This will help to prevent the top of cheesecake from cracking.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
In a medium bowl, add cookie crumbs and melted butter. Mix well.
Turn mixture out into a 9 1/2-inch springform pan. Press mixture into bottom and part way up side. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine softened cream cheese and sugar. Beat until smooth.
Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Add vanilla and whipping cream. Beat on medium speed 5 minutes.
Turn 1/2 cheese mixture into crumb-lined pan.
Drizzle evenly with 1/2 of caramel topping.
Top with remaining cheese mixture, spreading evenly over all. Sprinkle with pecans.
Drizzle remaining caramel topping evenly over pecans.
Place pan in preheated oven. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cheesecake is almost set in center.
While cheesecake is cooking, prepare Cheesecake Factory Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake Ganache Topping according to the recipe in the Box below. Set aside.
Remove done cake from oven and cool to room temperature.
Spread prepared Cheesecake Factory Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake Ganache Topping evenly over top of cake.
Refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

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Cheesecake Factory Caramel Pecan Turtle Cheesecake Ganache Topping

1 1/2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips or Pieces
1/2 tablespoons Sugar
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 tablespoons Butter cut into small pieces
1 Egg Yolk

To a large microwave-safe bowl, add semisweet chocolate pieces, sugar, whipping cream and vanilla.
Microwave on high power about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and stir until smooth and thick. If necessary, return to microwave a few more seconds until mixture is smooth.
Beat in butter and egg yolk until well blended.
Cool to room temperature.
Spread over top of cheesecake.