Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

For the Chocolate Crust
4 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
1 cup unsalted butter[2]
Cheesecake Filling:
4 8-ounce pkgs. cream cheese
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 eggs

For the Chocolate Cheesecake
1/2 recipe for cheesecake filling
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
For Chocolate Mousse
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup sugar[3]
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons boiling water[3]
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon vanilla
Make the Chocolate Crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Remove the butter from the heat.
Add the chocolate cookie crumbs to the butter and stir until all the crumbs are coated.
Press the cookie crumb mixture onto the bottom and sides of a 10-inch spring form pan.
Bake crust for 8-10 minutes; then remove from oven and cool completely.
Make the Chocolate Cheesecake
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the semisweet chocolate.
Prepare the cheesecake filling as directed, then add the melted chocolate to it, stirring so that it is fully combined.
Pour the cheesecake filling into the crust-lined pan and bake according to the original instructions.
Make the Chocolate Mousse
In a small bowl, pour gelatin into the cold water and let it stand for a minute or two until it becomes soft, or “blooms.” Add boiling water and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, stir together sugar and cocoa; Add the whipping cream and vanilla.
Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture while scraping the bottom of bowl occasionally.
When the mixture has thickened, add the dissolved gelatin and beat until well blended.
Cool the chocolate mousse in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the cake.
Assemble the Cake
When the chocolate cheesecake has cooled, use a spatula to spread the chocolate mousse on top of the cheesecake.
Sprinkle shaved chocolate on the mousse and spray aerosol whipping cream on cake slices before serving.

Shaved semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, as garnish.
Whipped cream, aerosol or homemade, as garnish.