Pomegranate-White Chocolate Cheesecake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Crust
14 Oreo cookies (1 1/4 cups/300 mL finely crushed)
Filling
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (Pampered Chef says use \"double strength vanilla\", whatever that is!)
4 eggs, room temperature
Sauce
1 cup 100% pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Optional Garnish
sweetened whipped cream
pomegranate seeds
white chocolate curls

Preparation

Please note Pampered Chef products are highlighted. You can use any food processor and other equipment to accomplish the same results.
Preheat oven to 325\u00b0F (160\u00b0F). For crust, lightly spray sides of 9\" Spring form Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Break cookies in half and place in Manual Food Processor; cover and pump handle to form very fine crumbs. Press cookie crumbs evenly over bottom and slightly up sides of pan. Bake 8 minutes. Remove pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack.
For filling, place chocolate in Large Micro-Cooker(R). Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1-1 1/2 minutes or until mostly melted, stirring every 30 seconds with Mix 'N Scraper(R). Place cream cheese, sugar and vanilla into Stainless (4-qt./4-L) Mixing Bowl; beat on medium speed of electric mixer just until incorporated. Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition just until incorporated. Add chocolate; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.
Bake 55-65 minutes (see Cook's Tip) or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken (center will firm as it cools). Turn off oven; open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake stand in oven 1 hour. Remove pan from oven to cooling rack; remove collar from pan. Cover cheesecake; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
For sauce, combine juice and cornstarch in (1.5-qt./1.4-L) Saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; pour into (2-cup/500-mL) Prep Bowl. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
For each serving, drizzle with syrup and garnish with whipped cream, pomegranate seeds and chocolate curls, if desired.