Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake

Ingredients:
Crust:
12 Oreo Chocolate Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed

Filling:
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg. (8 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate baking squares, melted and slightly cooled
4 eggs
20 Oreo Chocolate Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, quartered

Instructions:
For Crust:
Press crushed cookie crumbs onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 10 minutes if using a silver or light- colored springform pan. (Bake at 300°F/150°C) for 10 minutes if using a dark springform pan.)

For Filling:
Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Blend in melted chocolate. Add eggs, mixing on low speed just until blended. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups of the quartered cookies. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining quartered cookies. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 1 hour or until center is almost set if using a silver or light-colored springform pan. (Bake at 300°F/150°C for 1 hour or until center is almost set if using a dark nonstick springform pan.) Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Store any left-over cheesecake in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings.

TIP:
HOW TO PRESS CRUMBS INTO PAN:
Use bottom of straight-sided glass to evenly press cookie crumb mixture onto bottom of springform pan.

Source: Kraft Foods
Date: April 23, 2003