Chocolate Chai Cheesecake

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a 9x13-inch baking pan filled with water on the lower rack of the preheating oven. Line a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, cookie crumbs, butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor or bowl; mix well. Spread mixture evenly over the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the springform pan. Press down with the bottom of a glass or mug to compress the crust. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.
• Place crust in the preheated oven to melt the chocolate chips, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully spread melted chocolate over the crust. Set aside.
• Place semisweet chocolate chips in an oven-proof bowl; heat in the oven until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir well to ensure there are no lumps.
• Add cream cheese and sugar to the chocolate; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Stir in vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in heavy cream just until incorporated; avoid overbeating. Pour filling mixture over the crust.
• Bake on the middle rack of the oven, above the water-filled pan, until middle is set, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove cheesecake from the oven and cool completely, about 1 hour. Run a thin, sharp knife around the edges to loosen the sides of the cake and prevent cracking.
• Make ganache while cheesecake is cooling. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Add tea bags and let steep until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Squeeze tea bags into the cream and discard. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Add ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over cooled cheesecake and chill until set, at least 1 hour.