350 Bake

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake

This is my favorite cheesecake.  Probably my favorite dessert too.  This is what I had for my birthday a few weeks ago.  It was originally a Taste of Home recipe.  They have some great recipes.
I had fun baking and taking pictures with my new camera.  If you like chocolate, Oreos, and cheesecake, you really should try this recipe!

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups Oreo cookies (about 24 Oreos
4 Tablespoons and 2 teaspoons butter, melted
4 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
16 Oreos, coarsely chopped
whipped cream, optional

In a gallon zip-lock bag smash 24 Oreos until finely crushed.  In a mixing bowl, combine with melted butter.  Firmly pack mixture into a 10 inch spring-form pan.  Chill in freezer for several hours, until firm.

Preheat oven to 325° F.

In a small sauce pan melt chocolate chips, set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in chocolate and vanilla.  Add eggs; beat on low speed until just combined.  Fold in half of the cookies.  Pour batter over crust.
Sprinkle with remaining cookies.  

Place pan on baking sheet.

Bake at 325° F. for 50-60 minutes until center is almost set, and top appears dull.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer before removing pan sides.  Refrigerate overnight before serving.  Yield: 12 servings

Garnish with whipping cream, if desired.