Step 1

For the cheesecake:

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a 9” cake pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 3

Place the cream cheese and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time. Blend in the sour cream and vanilla.

Step 4

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Refrigerate for several hours.

Step 5

Line a cake board or large plate with plastic wrap. Partially fill the kitchen sink or a large roasting pan with hot water. Dip the bottom of the cheesecake pan into the water for 15-20 seconds. Dry the bottom of the pan and immediately cover the pan with the cake board or plate and flip the cheesecake onto the board. Remove the pan but leave the parchment paper on the bottom. Cover with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Step 6

For the chocolate cake:

Step 7

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 2 – 9” cake pans and line with parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 8

Place butter, shortening and sugar into large mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the bowl down as needed. Add eggs, one at a time. Blend in vanilla, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add ½ of the flour. With the mixer running on low speed, mix in milk. Add remaining flour.

Step 9

Divide evenly between two cake pans. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and cool on cooling racks for 10 minutes. Flip the pans out onto another cooling rack and then invert the cakes to cool completely on a rack. Leave the parchment paper on the cake until assembly time. Refrigerate the cakes for several hours, if time allows. This makes for easier handling when assembling the final cake.

Step 11

For the chocolate mousse:

Step 12

Combine the chocolate, 3½ tablespoons sugar and water in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave until the chocolate is nearly melted. Start with less time than you think it will take so that the mixture does not start boiling. Stir until thoroughly blended. Set aside until the mixture has cooled completely.

Step 13

Place the whipping cream into a large mixing bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium high speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.

Step 14

Place the egg whites into large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually, add 2 tablespoons sugar, scraping the bowl down a couple of times.

Step 15

Whisk ¼ of the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture. Gently fold the egg whites into the mixture in 2 or 3 batches. Gently fold the remaining whipped cream into the mixture in 2 or 3 batches. Set aside.

Step 16

For the chocolate ganache:

Step 17

Bring the cream and butter to a simmer in a small saucepan. Pour over the chocolate and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Slowly stir until the ganache is smooth.

Step 18

To assemble:

Step 19

Cover an 11” or larger cake board with plastic wrap.

Step 20

Level off the chocolate cake tops, if necessary. Peel the parchment paper off the bottom of one of the chocolate cakes and place the cake bottom side down onto the cake board. Spread ½ of the chocolate mousse over the top of the cake.

Step 21

Peel off the parchment paper from the cheesecake and place the cheesecake over the chocolate mousse. Press down lightly to release any air pockets. Spread the remaining ½ of the chocolate mousse over the cheesecake.

Step 22

Peel off the parchment paper off the other chocolate cake and place it bottom side up onto the chocolate mousse. Press down lightly to release any air pockets.

Step 23

Freeze for 15 minutes or until firm. Using a bread knife, trim the sides of the cake so that they are pretty even. The chocolate ganache will cover slight flaws.

Step 24

Transfer the cake to a cooling rack set over a wax paper lined baking sheet, to catch any drippings.

Step 25

Spread a thin layer of ganache over the entire cake by first dolloping a small amount of ganache near the top edge of the cake and working that ganache down the side of the cake. Once the entire cake is covered, place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.

Step 26

Repeat this process 2-3 more times. The ganache will set a bit as time goes one. The last layer of ganache will be thicker and the cake will be completely covered.

Step 27

If you want a decorative edge, cut a small piece of one of the bottom corners of a small plastic freezer bag. Insert a decorative tip (I like a star tip) into the opening. Fold the opening edges of the bag back and place in a cup. Add ½ cup of the ganache to the bag, flip the edges back up and seal the bag.

Step 28

Pipe stars around the top or bottom edge of the cake.

Step 29

Temper the cake for at least 45 minutes before serving.