INGREDIENTS
30
Oreo cookies (or chocolate sandwich cookies) for a high crust
4 tbsp
unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
1 tsp
espresso powder (optional)
1 lb
(two 8-ounce boxes) cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup
granulated sugar
1/4 tsp
salt (I always use kosher salt)
1 tsp
pure vanilla extract
2
large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup
heavy cream (or sour cream or combination)
6 oz
semisweet baking chocolate, chopped (I used Callebaut; use good chocolate)
3 tbsp
unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp
espresso powder (added to intensify chocolate flavor, optional)
3
eggs, separated
1/2 tsp
cream of tartar
1/4 cup
plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup
heavy cream, cold (do not use half-frozen cream; the whipped cream will curdle)
1/2 tsp
vanilla extract
1/2 cup
heavy cream
4 1/2 oz
bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Callebaut semi-sweet and milk chocolate)
1 tsp
espresso powder (optional)
1 1/2 tsp
dark rum (I used vanilla extract instead)