Brownie Bottom Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate, grated 1 tbsp. cream
• 1/2 cup condensed milk

Directions

1. Melt butter and chocolate in a 3-quart heavy saucepan on very low heat, stirring constantly. Cool.
2. Blend in 1 1/2 cups of the sugar. Add two of the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until blended. Blend in milk and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract.
3. Mix flour and salt. Add to chocolate mixture, mixing just until blended. Spread evenly onto bottom of greased and floured 9-inch spring form pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes.
4. Cheesecake Layer. Mix cream cheese, remaining 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
5. Add remaining three eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Blend in sour cream; pour over brownie bottom.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes to 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
7. To prepare frosting, in a heavy bottom pan melt chocolate until softened, mix in cream and condensed milk and stir until smooth.
8. Let frosting set in fridge before spreading. Take cake out of fridge and frosting, let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.