No Bake Mini Turtle Cheesecake

 Sometimes I like to add coconut and mini chocolate chips to this.  You can do this in a 9-inch springform pan if you want to make one big one.

NO BAKE MINI TURTLE CHEESECAKES

(makes 24)

Crust Ingredients:

*2 1/2 cups of couches Oreo cookie (with cream removed) or graham crackers

*1/2 cup butter melted

Caramel Ingredients:

*1 cup heavy cream

*30 Kraft caramels, unwrapped

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1 cup pecans, chopped small

Cheesecake Ingredients:

*2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

*1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 cup heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Topping Ingredients:

*1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1/2 cup heavy cream

*caramel sauce (optional)

Crust Directions:

~Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

~Line 2 cupcake pans with paper liners.

~In a medium mixing bowl, mix cookie crumbs and butter together until well mixed.

~Press evenly into the bottom of liners.

~Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Caramel Directions:

~In a medium pot, combine caramels and heavy cream.

~Cook over medium heat, until mixture is smooth and completely melted, stirring often.

~Pour into cupcake liners over crust.

~Refrigerate for one hour.

Cheesecake Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl,  whip cream cheese until smooth.

~Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.

~In another bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form.

~Gently for cream cheese mixture and whipped cream until well mixed.

~Spread over caramel mixture.

~Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.

Chocolate Topping Directions:

~In a small saucepan, heat chocolate and heavy cream over low heat.

~Stir until melted.

~Spread over top of cheesecakes.

~Refrigerate for 4-6 hours (I let them set overnight)

~Drizzle caramel sauce over top before serving.