Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   8 1/2  ounces        chocolate wafers -- fine crush
  12      ounces        semi-sweet chocolate chips
  16      ounces        cream cheese -- softened
   4      large         eggs
   1      teaspoon      vanilla extract
     1/2  cup           heavy cream whipped -- (opt.)
     1/2  cup           butter -- melted
   1 1/2  cups          heavy cream
     1/4  cup           sugar
     3/4  cup           cherry flavored liqueur
   1      pound         cherry pie filling

Preparation:

In large bowl, combine chocolate wafer crumbs and butter. Pat fimly into 9-inch springform pan, covering bottom and 2 1/2 inches up sides. Chill. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine over hot (not boiling) water, chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir until morsels are melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside. In large bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar, beating untl creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate mixture, cherry liqueur, and vanilla, mix until blended. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 60 minutes. Turn oven off. Let stand in oven with door ajar 1 hour. Remove, cool completely. Chill 24 hours. Spread cherry pie filling over top of cheesecake leaving 1-inch from the edge. Decorate edge with whipped cream, if desired.