Cheddar/Bacon Cheesecake Dip:

Ingredients
Crust
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
6 tbsp melted unsalted butter

Filling
24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, at room temperature
2 tbsp flour
3 eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Pinch of kosher salt
Pinch of fresh cracked pepper

Topping
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
2 tbsp chopped chives (or green onions)

Water crackers, pita chips and apples slices for serving
*Why apple slices? Because apples and cheese are another FANTASTIC combo!

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan with tin foil (this makes it really easy to transfer to a serving platter).

In a small bowl combine the parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and melted butter together. Mix thoroughly and pour into a 9 inch springform pan. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool while making the filling.

Increase oven to 400°F.

In large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the mixture off of the sides of the bowl. Add the cheddar, sour cream, chives, bacon, flour, salt and pepper. Beat until combined. Pour into the pan.
*Adding flour or cornstarch to cheesecakes helps prevent them from cracking while baking.

Bake 15 minutes then lower the oven temperature to 325 and bake for 1 hour (until the cheesecake is slightly golden brown and it doesn't jiggle when you shake it).
*Do not open the oven door when you lower the temp. You don't want the heat to escape.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool in the pan completely. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cheesecake before removing it. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before servings.