Vanilla Cookie Crust (recipe follows)
5 squares semi-sweet chocolate
3 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. dairy sour cream

1. Prepare Vanilla Cookie Crust; press mixture evenly onto bottom and 2" up side of a buttered 9" springform pan.

2. Melt chocolate over hot, not boiling water; cool.

3. Preheat oven to very slow, 275 degrees.

4. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Stir in cooled melted chocolate and sour cream until blended. Pour into prepared pan.

5. Bake in preheated very slow oven, 275 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Turn off heat; let cake cool in oven with door ajar. Remove from oven to wire rack; cool to room temperature; refrigerate. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls, if you wish. Makes 16 servings.

VANILLA COOKIE CRUST: Blend 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (48 cookies), 1/4 cup sugar and 6 tablespoons softened butter in a medium-size bowl until well mixed.