Description
Black forest cheesecake symphony blends German chocolate cake traditions with creamy cheesecake perfection. Rich layers of chocolate, kirsch-soaked cherries, and whipped cream create a luxurious dessert that transports you to a charming European café.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 8 oz (225 g) semi-sweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
- 6 oz (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 cups (200 g) chocolate cookie crumbs
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (350 g) cherry pie filling or fresh pitted cherries cooked with sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Fresh cherries (optional)
- Chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Crust Creation: Pulverize chocolate cookie crumbs with melted butter, pressing the mixture evenly into a parchment-lined springform pan. Bake at 325F (165C) for 10 minutes, establishing a robust foundation for the decadent dessert.
- Filling Fusion: Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky, integrating eggs individually. Gently fold in sour cream, melted chocolate, and vanilla extract, transforming the mixture into a luxurious, uniform batter.
- Precise Baking: Pour the filling into the prepared crust, nestling the springform pan within a water bath. Bake until edges firm and center softly trembles, roughly 50-60 minutes. Once complete, let the cheesecake rest in the oven with a slightly open door for one hour to prevent cracking and maintain a creamy texture.
- Cherry Compote Crafting: Simmer fresh cherries with sugar until they soften and release vibrant juices. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry, creating a glossy, intense cherry sauce that will crown the cheesecake.
- Ganache Glamour: Heat cream until just simmering, then pour over chopped chocolate. Allow brief resting before stirring into a smooth, lustrous mixture that will add dramatic flair to the dessert.
- Artful Assembly: Spread cooled cherry compote across the cheesecake’s surface, then drizzle ganache in an elegant, marble-like pattern. Embellish with delicate whipped cream, glistening fresh cherries, and chocolate shavings.
- Final Refinement: Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and texture to set perfectly before serving this magnificent Black Forest Cheesecake Symphony.
Notes
- Select High-Humidity Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat cream cheese at room temperature to guarantee a smooth, lump-free batter with superior texture and rich flavor.
- Prevent Cheesecake Cracking: Bake in a water bath and cool gradually to minimize surface cracks, maintaining a silky, professional-looking finish.
- Master Chocolate Incorporation: Melt chocolate gently using double-boiler technique to preserve smooth consistency and prevent burning or seizing during mixing.
- Optimize Cherry Compote: Use fresh, ripe cherries and control sugar levels to balance sweetness, ensuring a vibrant sauce that complements the chocolate cheesecake without overwhelming its rich profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 393
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 226 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg