CRUST:
1 cup white whole-wheat flour
2 tbsp + 2 tsp packed Splenda brown sugar blend
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
6 tbsp cold butter, cubed
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil (about 18-inches square). Wrap foil tightly around the pan.
In a bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar blend, and pecans; cut in the butter until crumbly. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees 12 to 15 minutes or until set. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
FILLING:
1 pkg (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened
3 pkgs (8-oz each) low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup Splenda granulated
2 tbsp + 2 tsp packed Splenda brown sugar blend
1/4 cup + 1 tsp white whole-wheat flour, divided
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips, melted and cooled
1/4 cup sugar-free caramel ice cream topping
1/3 cup chopped pecans
In a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and both Splendas until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup of the flour, whipping cream, and vanilla extract. Add eggs and beat on low speed just until blended. Remove 1 cup of the batter to a small bowl and stir in the melted chocolate; spread over the cooled crust.
In another small bowl, mix the caramel topping with the 1 teaspoon of remaining flour; stir in the pecans. Drop by tablespoonfuls over the chocolate batter. Top with the remaining batter.
Place the springform pan in a large baking pan and pour 1-inch of hot water into the baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours until the center is just set and the top appears dull. Remove the springform pan from the water bath then remove the foil. Cool cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the sides of the pan to loosen cake. Allow to cool on a wire rack for another hour.
Refrigerate overnight.
GANACHE:
1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Additional sugar-free caramel ice cream topping, if desired
Place chips in a small heat-proof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the whipping cream just to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chips and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Remove sides of the pan.
Spread the ganache over top of cheesecake and sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Refrigerate until set.
If desired, drizzle with additional caramel topping before cutting to serve.
