2cupsOreo cookie crumbsfrom approximately 22 Oreos
5tablespoonsunsalted butter,melted
Filling
2tablespoonsinstant espresso or coffee powder
4tablespoonsIrish whiskey
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
38 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1cupgranulated sugar
1/3cuplight Brown sugar,packed
¼cupcornstarch
2large eggs
Ganache
½cupheavy cream
1tablespoonlight corn syrup
2/3cupssemisweet chocolate chips
1tablespoonIrish whiskey
Whipped Cream Topping
2cupsheavy cream
2tablespoonsconfectioners’ sugar
1tablespoonIrish whiskey
1tablespoonpure vanilla extract
1teaspooninstant espresso or coffee powder mixed with 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting the top of the cheesecake
Instructions
Make Cheesecake
Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray and place on top of a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil large enough to come up all sides of the pan. Bring the foil up and press it onto the sides of the pan.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and butter.
Press crumbs onto the bottom and one inch up the sides of the springform pan. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Maintain oven temperature.
In a small bowl, blend together the espresso, whiskey and vanilla. Stir until coffee is dissolved. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and both sugars until light and fluffy. Stop mixer frequently and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
On low speed, add cornstarch followed by the coffee, whiskey and vanilla mixture. Blend well.
On low speed, add eggs, one at a time, blending well before adding the next one. Mix batter until smooth.
Pour batter into the pan.
Place the springform pan into a larger heat proof pan or roasting pan.
Place the pans onto the middle oven rack. Gently pour hot water into the larger pan until it comes one quarter the way up the springform pan.
Bake for approximately 55-60 minutes or until just the center of the cheesecake barely jiggles when gently shaken.
Carefully remove both pans from the oven. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath. Allow to cool.
Make Ganache
In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup heavy cream and corn syrup over medium-high heat and allow cream to come to a boil.
Remove from the heat and add chocolate. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted.
Add the whiskey and whisk well.
Gently pour ganache over cheesecake spreading evenly over the top.
Refrigerate cheesecake until cold. This will take at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
Make the Whipped Topping
In the bowl of an electric mixer using the whip attachment, beat the cream, sugar and whiskey on high speed until stiff peaks form.
Remove the sides of the springform pan. Place the cheesecake on a serving platter.
Decoratively pipe whipped cream all over top of cheesecake.
Dust cocoa and coffee mixture over cream using a sieve. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.