Cocoa Cheesecake Recipe 465

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Make and bake 36 cookies as directed on pouch. Cool completely, at least 30 minutes. Store 16 cookies in airtight container for another use.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil to prevent leaking. Spray inside of pan with cooking spray.
• In food processor, process half of the remaining 20 cookies to fine crumbs. Remove to medium bowl. Process second half of remaining cookies to fine crumbs; add to bowl. Stir in cocoa and 1/4 cup melted butter until well blended. Press very firmly on bottom and 1/2 inch up side of pan. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until set in center.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate. Beat in eggs one at a time, just until blended. Beat in vanilla. Pour into crust.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan and center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan. Refrigerate uncovered at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
• When ready to serve, discard foil and remove side of pan. If needed, run metal spatula along side of cheesecake to loosen before removing pan. In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream until soft peaks form; add marshmallow creme, and beat until blended and smooth. Fit decorating bag with 1/2-inch round piping tip; fill with cream mixture. Starting on outer edge of cheesecake, and using constant pressure on bag, pipe clockwise, working toward center and ending in a tall peak (use photo as guide). Decorate as desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• For the crust, combine graham-cracker crumbs, cocoa, sugar and melted butter and mix very thoroughly. Line a clean, ungreased springform pan with the crumb mixture by pressing it first against the sides, then the bottom of the pan. (Crumb mixture should hold its shape; the sides will take about 2/3 of the mixture.) Press until very smooth and even all around. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
• Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and keep warm. In small glass dish or teacup, stir together instant coffee, water and vanilla and orange extracts. Set aside.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Gradually add softened cream cheese, mixing well after each addition. Stir in melted chocolate, coffee mixture and the cocoa. Mix well. Gradually add sour cream, mixing well after each addition. Fold in melted butter and blend thoroughly but gently. Pour batter over chilled crust in pan. Place pan on heavy cookie sheet and bake 45 minutes. Cut off heat and open oven door, but do not move cheesecake. Let sit in turned-off oven 10 to 15 minutes.
• Gently transfer cheesecake, still on the cookie sheet, to counter and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, unfasten the ring from the springform pan and remove. If desired, garnish top of cheesecake with drizzle of melted dark chocolate, orange candy, chocolate-covered espresso beans and orange zest.

Steps:

• Combine crust ingredients, press onto the bottom and half the way up the sides of a 9" springform pan. Beat cream cheese, 3/4 c sugar, cocoa, and 1 tsp vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, blend well. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes. Combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread evenly over baked filling. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Cool completely several hours or overnight.