Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. oreo cookie crumbs (about 16 cookies)
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
4 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
3 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs, lightly beaten
20 oreo cookies, coarsely chopped

Directions:
In a small bowl, combeing the cookie crumbs and butter.  Press onto the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.  Refrigerate while preparing filling.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in chocolate and vanilla.  Add the eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.  Fold in half of the chopped cookies.  Pour over the crust.  Sprinkle with the remaining cookies.  Place pan on a baking sheet. 

Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until the center is almost set and the top appear dull.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen; cool for 1 hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight.