How to impress People Without Actually being Impressive Part II: Oreo Cheesecake Cake.

I know it's been a long hiatus, but with moving, and then trying to come up for air from all the drowning I've been doing for this year's Camp NaNoWriMo, I haven't had much time to focus on anything else. I'm still rather behind in my novel, but nonetheless, I look forward to making a victory post on September 1st.

So I'm not here regarding writing, I'm here regarding cheesecake! I know cheesecake intimidates a lot of people, but it's actually really easy. I think this is another one of those things that people assume is difficult because it's delicious. It's not as difficult as it is time consuming...it's actually rather difficult to mess up. What I've made today is my 2nd cheesecake ever, and my 2nd ever Double Decker cheesecake. It's an invention of my own inspired by a cheesecake I made for my Dad's birthday, but instead of red velvet, it's Oreo!

This cake cuts a lot of corners, which is why it's really impressive, but wonderful for beginners. Here's what you're going to need, and alternatives with be in Italics

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

- 32 Oreos processed into crumbs (Or About 2 cups of packed Oreo crumbs). Even more alternatively, if you don't have a food processor or Oreo crumbs at your disposal, double bagging them, and using a rolling pin and all of your patience will work, too (I should know, it's what I did).
- 5 1/3 TBS melted butter

For the Ganache:

 - 1 Cup (1/2 Pint) Heavy Whipping Cream
- 24 Oz. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

For the Cake:

- I used a Pillsbury Box Cake (I used 'Dark Chocolate'), but if you are opposed to this and looking to make a cake from scratch, I recommend this recipe.

For the Cheesecake:

- 3 8 Oz. Packages Cream Cheese (Room temperature)
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 TBS. All Purpose Flour
- 2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 3 Large Eggs.
- 10 Oreos, Diced

Topping (Optional)

-  7 Oreos (cut 6 in half, one whole one in the middle)
- Oreo Frosting (I found some pre-made in the grocery store, otherwise a buttercream frosting with Oreo bits in it will also work)
- Melted White Chocolate (Approximately 3 - 4 Oz.)
- Any remaining Ganache

So here's what we will be building:

It's got an Oreo Crumb crust, followed by a layer of ganache, with an Oreo cheesecake on top of that, a chocolate cake on top of THAT, the sides of said cake are frosted with Cookies N' Cream frosting, which is then covered with white chocolate, then drizzled with ganache, and for the final touch you will adorn it with Oreos.

If this is not what you want, turn back now. You are in Sweet Tooth territory.

How to Make It:

Cake:

1. Make your cake, either according to the package directions, or the directions of the AllRecipes link I have provided. If you are making a box cake, you will make two 9" cakes. Save the other cake, I will tech you how to make truffles with it this week :).
2. After your cake(s) have baked, let them cool completely, then put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

Crust and Ganache:

1. To make the crust, butter a 9" Springform pan and place on baking sheet. Combine the melted butter and cookie crumbs in a small bowl.
2. Toss with a fork to moisten all crumbs. Press into a thin layer, covering the bottom and 3" up the sides of the springform.
3. In a sauce pan, heat the whipping cream to a simmer, then ad chocolate chips. Whisk until a smooth ganache has formed.
4. Pour 1 - 1.5 cups of the ganache over the bottom of the crust.
5. Freeze until the ganache is firm (About 30 minutes). Reserve the remaining ganache. Keep at Room temperature.

Cheesecake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Beat in the flour. Add in the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Beat in eggs one at a time.
3. Dice up your 10 Oreos into small chunks and add them (I added the filling and everything)
4. Pour filling over cold ganache in the crust. Bake until the top is lightly brown, puffed and cracked at the edges (my original recipe said about an hour, it took mine an hour and a half).
5. Cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then transfer to refrigerator and let cool for about 3 - 4 hours.

Toppings, and putting it all together:

1. Take your cake out of the freezer and place it on a smooth surface (like a cutting borad, or I personally used a baking sheet) Frost the sides of the cake with your Cookies n' cream frosting. Using a spatula and all your natural graces, lift the cake and place on top of the cheesecake.
2. Melt your white chocolate, and spread over the top of your cake with a butter knife.
3. Heat up your ganache slightly and drizzle over the white chocolate layer. If you have a ton left, keep it at room temperature. you can use these for cake truffles (which i will write a tutorial for this week, as stated earlier).
4. Place in freezer for 15 - 20 minutes to let the white chocolate and ganache harden.
5. Make 12 gobs of cookies n' cream frosting along the edge of your cake, place 1/2 an oreo on each one.
6. Place one last gob of frosting in the center, and place an entire Oreo.
7. FEAST.

I would recommend taking this cake out of the fridge for about 15 - 20 minutes before cutting, otherwise it's very difficult to cut through all the layer gracefully (my first piece was more like a crumb cake..), but it's so good! Each bite has a different amount of everything in it and is like a different cake every time. my cheesecake came out a little under-sweet, but it compliments the over sweetness of everything above and below it. All in all, a very decadent treat. I hope you guys like this, because I know I did! ;)

I will be back sometime this week to show you how to make cake truffles (so don't waste your money on Starbucks cake pops!), and like I said, am looking forward to returning here on September 1st to tell you all that I finished my 3rd novel.