Chocolate Cheesecake

Hubby gets full credit for this one. Chocolate cheesecake is my favorite dessert, and he surprised me with this on my birthday! He made two whole chocolate cheesecakes by himself, and kept it a secret from me. I was so impressed! This time around, I helped him make it and we contributed it to our family's Thanksgiving dinner. It is so delicious!

Ingredients
1 package Oreos (about 36 cookies)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 8-oz packages of cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp flour


1. Make Crust
Preheat oven to 375.
Crush Oreos together with powdered sugar (If you don't have a food processor, one way to do this is with a rolling pin. I also used a potato masher to spread and crush any remaining chunks). If desired, set aside a tablespoon of Oreo crumbs to garnish on top after it's baked.

Add the melted butter and spread the mixture evenly in the pan.

Bake the crust for 15 minutes, or when you smell a very strong chocolate smell from the oven (this means it's done). Remove from oven and set aside while you make the filling.

2. Make Filling
Reduce oven temperature to 350.
Combine milk and chocolate chips in a small saucepan over the stove. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chips melt and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar. Mix on low speed until smooth. 

Add the eggs one at a time and mix after each one.

Stir in the vanilla and flour. Add the chocolate and milk mixture and beat slowly until smooth.

Pour the batter on top of the crust in the pans. 

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. 

Crack open the oven and allow the cake to cool in the oven for about an hour. Then remove the cake from the oven and allow it to finish cooling before refrigerating. Garnish the cake with Oreo crumbs, if desired. Yields two cheesecakes, or about 16 servings.

It may not look super pretty or anything (we are beginners, after all), but man, it is totally delicious! You won't regret making this 😊

[Original recipe found here].