Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

Let’s see, where do I even begin?

This cheesecake is ALL of the following: amazing, sinful, decadent, rich, to-die-for, fabulous, scrumptious . . .should I go on?

I spotted this on Pinterest the other day, and then found a similar recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I knew, without a doubt, I would be making this for Thanksgiving.  Because after all, my family never (wink, wink) has enough desserts at Thankgiving.

Next to marrying my husband, making this was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

It was truly over-the-top good and my boys are already asking me to make it again. In fact, I was lucky to even get a picture of this before it was gone.

I know it looks like a lot of work, and the long instructions might seem daunting, but honestly it’s not bad at all.  I made the cheesecake layer the night before.  Let it sit in the fridge overnight to get good and cold, and then the next morning I made the mousse layer and topped it off the with ganache.  It really is worth the time and effort.

I can’t wait to make this again!

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Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

Author: 5boysbaker.com

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 30-32 Oreo cookies (or chocolate sandwich cookies) crushed
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter , melted
• Cheesecake Layer:
• 2 8- ounce pkgs. cream cheese , at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs , at room temperature
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• Mousse Layer:
• 1 cup heavy cream , divided
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• Ganache Layer:
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

1. For the crust: Combine the crushed Oreo cookies and the melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan. Smooth out the mixture with the bottom of a measuring cup or glass. Wrap the bottom of the pan in a double layer of aluminum foil. Place the crust in the freezer while you make the cheesecake.
2. For the cheesecake layer:
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl with hand mixer), beat the cream cheese at medium speed until it is soft for about 4 minutes. With the mixer running, add the sugar and salt, and continue to beat another 4 minutes or so, until the cream cheese is light. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one by one, beating for a full minute after each addition to yield a well-aerated batter. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and stir in the sour cream.
4. Give the batter a few stirs with a rubber spatula, just to make sure that nothing has been left unmixed at the bottom of the bowl, and scrape the batter into the springform pan. The batter should fill only half of the pan. Place the springform pan in a roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roaster to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
5. Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 15 at which point the top will be lightly browned. Turn off the oven, and prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon. Allow the cheesecake to luxuriate in its water bath for another hour.
6. After 1 hour, carefully pull the roast pan/springform pan setup out of the oven, lift the springform pan out of the roaster—be careful, there WILL be some hot water in the aluminum foil—remove the foil. Let the cheesecake come to room temperature on a cooling rack.
7. When the cake is cool, cover the top lightly and chill the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight. Make the mousse once the cheesecake has cooled.
8. For the mousse:
9. Heat 1/2 cup cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Place the egg yolks in a small bowl. Whisking vigorously, pour a couple tablespoons of the hot cream into the egg yolks and continue whisking until completely combined. Pour the tempered egg yolks into the saucepan with the remaining hot cream, whisking quickly the whole time, and return the saucepan to medium-low heat, cooking while stirring constantly, until the cream/egg mixture bubbles and thickens, 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips, whisking until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, whisking occasionally to avoid a skin forming across the top. When completely cool, beat the remaining 1/2 cup cream to stiff peaks and gently fold into the completely cooled chocolate mixture. Spread the mousse over the top of the cooled cheesecake and refrigerate.
10. For the ganache:
11. Combine the butter and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is simmering. Place the chocolate in a small bowl. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until glossy and smooth. Stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar. Spread the ganache over the mousse and refrigerate the pie until ready to serve.

Recipe Source: Crust & Cheesecake layer adapted from: Mangio da Sola.com, Mousse & Ganache adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe