Oreo Cheesecake

1 pkg. Oreo brand cookies
1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
3 pkgs. cream cheese (8 oz.) room temp.
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Whipped cream and additional cookies for garnish


Finely crush 25-30 of the cookies and combine with the melted butter to form bottom crust. For the bottom I scrape the cream off. The cookies used to garnish I keep the cream in, Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar together with electric mixer set on medium until they are creamy. Lightly beat eggs and blend in one at a time by hand. Add sour cream and vanilla and continue to blend well. Coarsely chop remaining oreos and fold into the blended batter. Pour mixture into crust in baking pan. Bake in a 350° F oven for 50-60 minutes or until firmly set. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes and remove by carefully running a knife around the outer edge. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and serve garnished with whipped cream and half an oreo.