Ashley | Baker By Nature

For the Chocolate Cookie Crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing two of the sides to overlap (you want an overhang of at least 2-inches on two sides) and spray lightly with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine the crushed cookie crumbs and melted butter, mix well to combine.

Press the mixture into the bottom - and slightly up the sides - of the prepared pan.

Bake the crust in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack until needed.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees (F).

For the Chocolate Cheesecake Filling:

Fill a medium pot one-third full with water and bring it to a low simmer over medium heat.

Place a heatproof bowl that will fit on top of the pan snugly, but will not touch the simmering water, on top of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped chocolate into the bowl over the pot.

Heat until the chocolate is completely melted, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula. Remove the pot from the heat, leaving the bowl of chocolate over the hot water. Set aside until needed.

In the bowl of a food processor (or high-powered blender), pulse the cream cheese until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, about 2 minutes. Add in both sugars and cocoa powder and beat smooth.

Add in the eggs, egg yolks, and heavy cream and mix on low speed until just combined, about 20 seconds. Using a silicone spatula fold in the chocolate, mixing just until it's evenly incorporated. Finally, fold in the vanilla.

Remove the bowl from the food processor and, using a silicone spatula, stir the filling several times to ensure it’s evenly blended. 
Scrape the filling over the partially baked crust in the prepared pan.
Bake the cheesecake bars for 35 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set but still slightly jiggly. The cake will set completely as it cools.

Remove the cake from the oven and  place the pan on a wire rack. Carefully loosen the foil, then immediately run the tip of a knife around the sides of the pan, to prevent the top from cracking. Cool completely (in the pan), then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours before removing from the pan and slicing. 

For the Chocolate Ganache (optional):

Add chopped chocolate to a large bowl and set aside until needed.

In a small saucepan over medium-heat, bring the cream to a rolling simmer, then immediately remove from heat. Pour the cream on top of the chocolate pieces and set aside for 1 minute. With a whisk, begin to incorporate the melted chocolate into the cream, whisking until smooth and glossy.

Set aside and cool until tepid. Then scrape about 3/4 cup of the ganache into a large piping bag fitted with an open star tip.

Pour the remaining ganache over cooled cheesecake. Set aside until ganache is set, about 1 hour.

To serve, slice the cheesecake into bars, using a thin-bladed sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut. Pipe a star of chocolate ganache on top of each piece. Then serve!

Or store, loosely covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days.