Cheesecake with chocolate ganache

I picked up a springform pan at IKEA a few weeks ago with this cheesecake in mind.  I never made a cheesecake before and the lack of good cheesecakes nearby motivated me to make my own.  It turned out exactly how I imagined it would.  It is the perfect cheesecake and I found the recipe through a google search.  I almost couldn't believe it.  

My mom has a friend that she volunteers with that is an incredible baker.  Her advice for making a cheesecake is to replace 1/2 the graham cracker needed for the crust with a crushed cookie. I used crushed Oreos.  What a fantastic idea.  It really makes the crust more delicious.  I made a chocolate ganache to top the cheesecake because you can never have enough chocolate.  

This week was full of desserts! I am going to have to make up for it with lots of salads!!

Printable Recipe

Cheesecake- recipe from allrecipes.com modified by me

• Ingredients
• 15 graham crackers, crushed 1/2 graham cracker 1/2 oreo cookies
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
•  
• 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch springform pan.  In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Press onto bottom of springform pan.  In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, and then mix in the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. Mix in sour cream, vanilla and flour until smooth. Pour filling into prepared crust.  Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Do not open the door.  Turn the oven off, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for 5 to 6 hours; this prevents cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.  

Chocolate Ganache 

4oz 60% chocolate, chopped

4 oz heavy cream

Heat heavy cream in a sauce pan until it begins to bubble.  Pour over chopped chocolate and stir until chocolate is smooth and shiny. Drizzle, or pour, over cheesecake.