9ounceschocolate wafers or chocolate graham crackers
6ouncessemisweet chocolatechopped, or 1 cup chocolate chips
½cupdark brown sugar
7tablespoonsmelted butter
1cupheavy cream
13ouncessemisweet chocolatechopped
16ouncescream cheese at room temperature(2 packages; I used lower-calorie neufchatel, which worked fine)
1 ¼cupcreamy peanut butter
1cupsugar
¾cupsour cream
3eggs
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Ganache
⅓cupheavy cream
4 ½ouncessemisweet chocolatechopped
Instructions
For the crust, place chocolate wafers/graham crackers, 6 ounces chocolate, and ½ brown sugar in the food processor. Blend until finely ground. Drizzle in melted butter and process until the crumbs stick together. Scrape crumbs into a 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch sides. Wrap your fingers with plastic wrap, and gently press crumbs up the side to within ½ inch of the top, and then pat evenly over the bottom of the pan. Chill crust while you prepare the fudge layer.
Heat 1 cup heavy cream in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then add 13 ounces chocolate and remove from heat. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Spread evenly in the crust. Freeze for 30 minutes, until fudge is firm.
Using an electric mixer, mix cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar until well-blended. Add sour cream, then eggs, then vanilla. Mix until smooth, but don't beat in too much air. Pour over the set fudge layer. Bake at 325F for 75-90 minutes (mine took 90), until the center of the cheesecake only moves slightly when gently shaken. Refrigerate cheesecake until completely chilled, at least 3 hours.
Combine ⅓ cup heavy cream and 4 ½ ounces chocolate, either in a heavy saucepan, or in a microwave-safe bowl. On the stove, heat and stir constantly until the chocolate has melted. In the microwave, heat the bowl in 15-second bursts, stirring after each one, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour over chilled cheesecake and spread evenly to edge. Refrigerate until chocolate sets, at least 30 minutes. Serve in small pieces. Cheesecake is still delicious after a week.