Cafe Au Lait' Cheesecake

From a restaurant in New Orleans. I don't particularly like the taste of coffee, but this cheesecake is extraordinary. It is rather involved, but the final outcome is well worth it. This is NOT a baked cheesecake and cook time equals chilling time.

• Ready In: 6 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• Crust

• 2  cups  butter cookies, crushed
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 6  tablespoons butter, softened

• Filling

• 3  tablespoons unflavored gelatin
• 1⁄2 cup cold water
• 3  eggs, separated
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 2  teaspoons  coffee liqueur
• 2  tablespoons instant coffee, dissolved in
• 3  tablespoons hot water

Directions

1. CRUST:
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the butter cookie crumbs, sugar and butter.
3. Blend well with pastry blender.
4. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a well-buttered 10-inch springform pan. Chill in the freezer or fridge for about 30 minutes.
5. Soften the gelatin in the 1/2 cup cold water.
6. In a small saucepan, combine the egg yolks and sugar and gradually stir in the whipping cream.
7. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring until thickened enough to coat a metal spoon.
8. Remove from the heat and stir in the softened gelatin.
9. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until very smooth and creamy, then add the vanilla and continue to beat until very smooth and creamy.
10. Add the gelatin mixture to the cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
11. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until the mixture is set.
12. In separate small mixing bowls, whip the heavy cream and beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold both into the cream cheese mixture.
13. In a small saucepan, heat the instant coffee dissolved in water, and the coffee liqueur, stirring until smooth.
14. Add the coffee mixture to the cheese mixture and beat until very smooth and creamy.
15. Pour into the chilled springform pan and refrigerate for 3 hours, or until cake is set and firm.
16. Carefully remove the sides of the springform pan, transfer cake to a serving dish, and serve.