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1
Crust: Melt butter.
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2
Mix crumbs and sugar, add butter to crumb mixtureand mix thoroughly.
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3
Coat springform pan with non-stick spray or cold butter.
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4
Add crumb-butter mixture to springform pan and distribute evenly.
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5
Press down firmly, using a flat surface tool (such as the bottom of aglass).
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6
Bake for 10 minutes at 350F.
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7
Let rest for 30 minutes.
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8
Filling: Mix raisins and dark rum in a pot.
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9
Bring to a boil.
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10
Remove from heat and allow to rest and absorb the rum.
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11
Place cream cheese in mixing bowl, mix at low speed for one minute.
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12
Add sugar in steady streamwhile mixer is on at low speed.
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13
Stop mixer, scrape sides of mixing bowl with a spatula.
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14
Turn on again, add eggs slowly to cream cheese mixture, in five equal amounts.
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15
Stop-scrape-turn on.
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16
Add hazelnut liqueur and vanilla (stop-scrape-turn on).
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17
Add melted chocolate.
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18
Continue to mix until fully incorporated (stop-scrape-turn on).
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19
Stop mixer.
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20
Pour half off illing through a sieve into the springform pan.
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21
Note: The mixture will be thick but will pour easily, similar to thick paint.
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22
Sprinkle half of the raisins and half of the broken mixed nuts evenly over the bottom half of the filling.
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23
Spoon in the second half of the filling over the first half.
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24
Sprinkle the remaining raisins and broken mixed nuts over the top half of the filling.
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25
Push them down gently as to be covered by the filling, but close to the top.
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26
Place the whole nuts in any decorative fashion on top.
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27
Wrap the outside of the springform tightly with Saran Wrap.
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28
Repeat with foil.
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29
Bake in water bath at 350F for one hour.
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30
Check if done by gently shaking the cheesecake to see if the center is wobbly.
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31
Gently and carefully touch the edges and the center to compare doneness.
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32
You may need to cook an additional 30 minutes, depending on your oven.
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33
When done, remove foil and Saran Wrap, and run a hot-moist knife around the edges.
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34
Let rest for 4 hours at room temperature on a cooling rack.
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35
Refrigerate overnight uncovered.
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36
Serve with whipped cream and a strawberry if you wish.
