Description
Indulgent dark chocolate cherry cheesecake delivers a luxurious dance of rich cocoa and sweet cherries on a velvety canvas. Rich chocolate meets tangy cherries in this irresistible dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Topping and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 1/4 cup cherry preserves
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by lightly greasing its surface and preheating the oven to 325F (165C).
- Create the chocolate cookie crust by thoroughly mixing cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the pan’s bottom to form a compact base.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar until achieving a silky smooth consistency, gradually incorporating sour cream and eggs while ensuring each addition is fully integrated.
- Gently fold melted dark chocolate and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture, stirring until the batter becomes uniformly rich and glossy.
- Carefully pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, using a spatula to distribute it evenly and eliminate any potential air pockets.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the center sets with a slight gentle wobble when lightly shaken.
- After baking, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to rest inside with the door slightly ajar for one hour, facilitating gradual cooling and preventing surface cracking.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight.
- Prepare the cherry topping by combining cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan, cooking over medium heat and stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
- Once the cheesecake is thoroughly chilled, generously spread the cooled cherry topping across the surface, creating a vibrant and luscious finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter and prevent cracking during baking.
- Wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during the water bath baking method, which helps create a creamy texture.
- For gluten-free option, replace chocolate cookie crumbs with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour-based crust.
- Control cherry topping sweetness by adjusting sugar or using fresh cherries for a more tart, natural flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 153
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg