1-Getting started: Getting started with this Oreo cheesecake is exciting let’s walk through the steps using our detailed recipe for a foolproof outcome. First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan with parchment paper to make removal easy later.

2-Crust preparation: Now, for the crust, finely crush the 20 chocolate sandwich cookies and mix them with 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the pan bottom and bake for 10 minutes, then set it aside to cool while you prepare the filling.

3-Oven and water bath setup: Reduce the oven temperature to 320°F and set up a water bath by placing a large roasting pan with 1 inch of hot water on the middle rack. This step ensures a creamy texture. For the filling, beat 32 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese, 4 tablespoons of room-temperature butter, and 1 cup of granulated sugar until smooth, then add 3 large eggs one at a time.

4-Filling preparation: Mix in 1 cup of sour cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until everything is well blended, and gently fold in the 20 broken chocolate sandwich cookies. Pour this over the crust, smooth the top, and place the spring-form pan inside a larger 10-inch cake pan. Put it in the water bath, ensuring the water covers half the cake pan, and bake for 1 hour.

5-Post-baking cooling: After baking, turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour to prevent cracks. Run a knife around the edge to loosen it, cool completely on the counter, then chill uncovered in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours without removing the spring-form pan side.

6-Chocolate ganache and final touches: For the chocolate ganache, microwave 4 ounces of dark chocolate baking squares and 4 ounces of heavy cream for 1 minute, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature, spread over the cheesecake, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Finally, remove the spring-form pan side, transfer to a platter, and top with piped whipped cream and halved chocolate sandwich cookies before serving.