Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake

From bon appetit, october, 1996. a creamy, rich, and gorgeous dessert. what more could you want? don't let the specific chocolate that bon appetit suggests scare you away from making the recipe. i use a 70% cocoa belgian chocolate that i get from tuesday morning (a discount store).

Steps

For crust:.

Preheat oven to 350f.

Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides.

Blend cookies in processor until finely ground.

Blend in sugar.

Add melted butter and process until well blended.

Press crumbs evenly onto bottom of prepared pan.

Bake just until set , about 5 minutes.

Cool while preparing filling.

Maintain oven temperature.

For filling:.

Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth.

Remove bowl from over water.

Cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable.

Blend cream cheese , sugar , and cocoa powder in processor until smooth.

Blend in eggs 1 at a time.

Mix in lukewarm chocolate.

Pour filling over crust.

Smooth top.

Bake until center is just set and just appears dry , about 1 hour.

Cool 5 minutes.

Run knife around sides of cake to loosen.

Chill overnight.

For topping:.

Stir cream , 6 ounces chocolate , and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth.

Cool slig.

Ingredients

chocolate wafer cookies, sugar, butter, bittersweet chocolate, cream cheese, unsweetened cocoa powder, eggs, whipping cream, chocolate curls