Description
Rich and creamy cherry chocolate cheesecake combines classic dessert flavors for a luxurious experience. Chocolate graham cracker crust and smooth cream cheese filling create an irresistible treat you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (2 blocks) cream cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 300 g (2 cups) cherries
- 120 g (4 oz) dark chocolate
- 200 g (2 cups) chocolate cookie crumbs
- 250 g (1 ¼ cups) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 75 g (⅓ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 120 ml (½ cup) sour cream
- 2 tbsps water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Crust Foundation: Pulverize chocolate cookies into fine, uniform crumbs and blend seamlessly with melted butter, creating a rich, cohesive mixture that will form the cheesecake’s robust base.
- Crust Preparation: Press the crumb mixture evenly and firmly into a lightly sprayed 9-inch springform pan, ensuring a compact and consistent layer that will provide structural integrity for the dessert.
- Initial Baking: Position the pan in a preheated oven and toast the crust until it achieves a golden, crisp texture with a delicate, nutty fragrance, approximately 10 minutes.
- Cooling Stage: Extract the crust and allow it to cool completely, establishing a solid and stable platform for the subsequent cheesecake layers.
- Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip cream cheese until smooth and silky, incorporating sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs, blending until the mixture achieves a luxurious, velvety consistency without overbeating.
- Chocolate Integration: Melt dark chocolate and gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture, creating a marbled, decadent filling with rich chocolate undertones.
- Filling Deployment: Carefully pour the chocolate-infused cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, ensuring an even distribution and eliminating potential air pockets.
- Cherry Placement: Distribute fresh or preserved cherries throughout the cheesecake filling, creating pockets of fruity brightness that will contrast with the chocolate’s depth.
- Baking Process: Position the cheesecake in a preheated oven at 325°F, baking until the center is almost set but retains a subtle jiggle, approximately 45-50 minutes.
- Cooling and Setting: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours to achieve the perfect, firm texture.
- Garnishing Finale: Before serving, optionally adorn the cheesecake with additional fresh cherries, chocolate shavings, or a light dusting of cocoa powder to enhance its visual appeal.
Notes
- Prevent Cracking Technique: Bake cheesecake in a water bath to create gentle, even heat and prevent surface cracks by wrapping the springform pan in aluminum foil for moisture protection.
- Chocolate Cookie Crust Mastery: Use high-quality chocolate cookies like Oreos for a richer, more intense flavor base and ensure crumbs are finely ground for a smooth, uniform texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Let cream cheese, eggs, and other dairy components sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing to guarantee a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter with perfect consistency.
- Cherry Topping Enhancement: Select fresh or high-quality jarred cherries and drain excess liquid to prevent soggy cheesecake surface; consider reducing cherry liquid into a glossy sauce for more concentrated flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg