the evil chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake

i had a lot of trouble with this one! its my own fault i know. i got ballsy and decided that i was going to throw 3 recips together and create my own. dont get me wong, it turned out amazing... but theroad there wasn't fun. lets just say thank goodness for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers!

Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake

3 packages cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 packages refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

in a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until well mixed; set aside.

Arrange one package (or more, depending on what you need) of cookie dough squares or slices (if using slices, cut ito 1/4 inch slices) on bottom of springform pan; press together so there are no holes in the dough.

form remaining cookie dough into small balls and place in freezer to firm.

(at this point, if you are like me, you are going to want to put the cookie dough into the oven to bake for a little bit to make sure that its a crust for the cheesecake. don't do this! i did and it made the crust as hard as a rock.)

pour half of the cheesecake mixture into the cookie dough. then take frozen cookie balls and mix them into remaining cheesecake mixture. then pour the rest into the springform pan and smooth top as much as possible. put in oven and bake fo 45 to 50 minutes, until center is firm and springs back.

(at this point in my cheescake adventure, my oven caught on fire... this may or may not be the reason for the hard as rock cookie crust but i cant be sure. dont worry though, i pulled the cheesecake out and got the fire extinguished rather quickly. the only thing i had to deal with was the horrible smell of burning throughout my house... and clothes... for the rest of the day and into the night. that, and of course, my 4 year old, oliver, wouldn't let me forget that i managed to set the oven on fire and smoke up the entire house)

let the cheesecake cool.

once the cheesecake has cooled, melt the chocolate chips and whipping cream in a saucepan until it turns into a chocolate sauce. pour over cheesecake and let cool overnight.

full disclosure: my husband and i tasted the cheesecake (this was my first time trying this recipe so  i made a mini one to taste before bringing the large one to a party). it as really good... except for the hard crust. since i made this for a party, i had to fix that! i couldnt let people think that i am a horrible baker! everyone makes mistakes right?! i am in the process of making another crust (an oreo one this time since thats all i had on hand lol) i intend to cut the top of the cheesecake off the cookie crust and place it onto the oreo crust. wish me luck people! i may have to stop at the store and pick up a dessert before going to the xmas eve party!

UPDATE: after removing the top of the cheesecake, i checked the cookie crust only to find that it WASNT as hard as a rock... of course! oh well. i didnt want to take that chance. i will update again with how the oreo crust turned out.