Description
This Chocolate Lover’s Cheesecake recipe is full of chocolate flavor for the ultimate chocolate lover! The thick and creamy chocolate cheesecake is topped with homemade chocolate ganache, chocolate whipped cream and even more chocolate for decoration!
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE CRUST
- 2 ¼ cups (302g) chocolate cookie crumbs
- ½ cup (112g) salted butter, melted
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
- 24 oz (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa*
- 1 cup (230g) sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs, room temperature
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 6 oz (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 5 tbsp (37g) powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp (21g) natural unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate Curls
Instructions
CRUST
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides.
2. Combine the crust ingredients in a small bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan.
3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
4. Cover the outsides of the pan with aluminum foil so that water from the water bath cannot get in (see how I prepare my pan for a water bath). Set prepared pan aside.
CHEESECAKE
1. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (148°C).
2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa on low speed until well completely combined and smooth. Be sure to use low speed to reduce the amount of air added to the batter, which can cause cracks. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until well combined.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly to combine after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
5. Pour the cheesecake batter evenly into the crust.
6. Place the springform pan inside another larger pan. Fill the outside pan with enough warm water to go about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. The water should not go above the top edge of the aluminum foil on the springform pan.
7. Bake for 1 hour 5 minutes. The center should be set, but still jiggly.
8. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed for 30 minutes. The cheesecake will continue to cook, but slowly begin to cool as well.
9. Crack the door of the oven for 30 minutes to allow the cheesecake to continue to cool slowly. This process helps prevent cracking.
10. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and water bath wrapping and refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight.
11. When the cheesecake is cool and firm, remove from the springform pan and set on a serving plate.
12. To make the chocolate ganache. Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl.
13. Microwave the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
14. Pour the ganache onto the cheesecake and spread into an even layer.
15. To make the chocolate whipped cream, add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, cocoa and vanilla extract to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
16. Spread the whipped cream on top of the chocolate ganache.
17. Add chocolate curls to the top of the cake and sprinkle with cocoa, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best for 3-4 days.
* I used half natural unsweetened cocoa and half Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa.
