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1
Fill a large roasting pan about one-third of the way with water and carefully place on the middle oven rack.
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2
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap the outside of an 8-inch springform pan with aluminum foil.
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3
Coat the inside of the pan with cooking spray.
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4
Finely crush 3 chocolate cookies and sprinkle the crumbs in the bottom of the springform pan; tap out the excess.
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5
Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
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6
Add the sugar, eggs, 3/4 cup cream and the vanilla.
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7
Reduce the mixer speed to medium and beat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is creamy, scraping down the bowl as needed (do not overbeat; if there are still lumps, whisk the batter by hand to smooth them out).
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8
Put the chocolate and the remaining 1/4 cup cream in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the chocolate melts, about 45 seconds.
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9
Stir in the cocoa powder until smooth.
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10
Divide the batter between 2 large liquid measuring cups or bowls (about 2 1/2 cups batter in each).
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11
Stir the melted chocolate mixture into one of the batters.
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12
Pour about half of the vanilla batter into the pan, then slowly pour half of the chocolate batter into the center of the vanilla, letting it spread.
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13
Pour the remaining vanilla batter into the center of the chocolate batter, letting it spread; pour the remaining chocolate batter into the middle.
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14
Carefully transfer the cheesecake to the pan of hot water and bake until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 hour, 30 minutes to 1 hour, 45 minutes.
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15
Turn off the oven and keep the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar, 30 minutes.
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16
Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and transfer to a rack.
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17
Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen and let cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.
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18
Remove the springform ring.
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19
Crush the remaining 3 chocolate cookies and toss in a bowl with the crushed meringues and peanuts.
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20
Press into the sides of the cake.
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21
TIP: To get clean cuts, dip your knife in hot water and wipe dry between slices.
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22
Photograph by Johnny Miller