Mississippi Mud Pie { Muddy Mississippi Cake }

INGREDIENTS

Nonstick cooking spray

16 oz

chocolate sandwich cookies such as Oreos (35 to 40 cookies), crushed

5 tbsp

unsalted butter, melted

4 tbsp

unsalted butter

6 oz

good-quality dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent), chopped

2 tbsp

plus 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

1/4 cup

strong coffee, at room temperature

1/4 tsp

salt

1 tbsp

pure vanilla extract

large eggs, separated, at room temperature

1 cup

sugar

3/4 cup

sugar

1/2 cup

dark unsweetened good-quality cocoa powder

1/4 cup

cornstarch

1/4 tsp

salt

large egg yolks

2 1/2 cups

whole milk

3 tbsp

unsalted butter

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

3 oz

good-quality dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent)

1 1/4 cups

heavy cream

2 tbsp

granulated sugar