Birthday Cakes

My sweet Brent isn't a huge fan of the traditional cake. So I always make him more of a dessert for his birthday (which is tomorrow). I love making him a birthday dessert. And it's always a fun challenge to come up with something new to surprise him with! He does like cheesecakes (a lot!) so this is what I would make for him if I had a kitchen and all the necessary things to bake with. Alas, we celebrated with an ice cream cake last night (he has to have surgery tomorrow) and while it was good...it wasn't quite homemade.

So I promised him something nice and homemade when we move in to the house.

Warm Fudge-Filled Cheesecake

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla, divided
2/3 cup pistachios, chopped
4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
sweetened whipped cream and chocolate shavings for garnish

1. Beat butter at medium speed with mixer ntil creamy; add 1/3 cup sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla and pistachios. Press into bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Bake crust at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until golden. Cool.
3. Beat cream cheese at medium speed until light and fluffy; add 1 1/2 cups sugar gradually, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Stir in remaining 2 tsp. of vanilla.
4. Pour half of the batter over crust; sprinkle with chocolate chips to within 3/4 inch of the edge of the pan. Pour remaining batter over chocolate, starting at outer edge and working toward the center. Place ona baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Cool on rack one hour. Garnish and serve.