My Favorite Chocolate Cheesecake Shown with optional Rasberry Topping

My Favorite Chocolate Cheesecake
Shown with optional Rasberry Topping
Chef's notes

Cheesecakes

Although they can be elaborate, basic cheesecakes are a snap to make especially when using a food processor. They usually require limited ingredients, are almost full proof, and can easily be customized with different crusts, toppings and flavored fillings. Although we traditionally think of cheesecakes made with cream cheese, Italian versions commonly use ricotta cheese or a combination of both.

My Favorite Chocolate Cheesecake

This decadent chocolate cheesecake is assembled in a 9” springform pan. It starts with a simple baked chocolate cookie crust followed by a rich and balanced chocolate filling. 

Cake is finished either with a raspberry topping pictured above or a chocolate ganache. 

Ingredients are minimal and are easy to assemble with the aid of a food processor.

Like most cheesecakes, add-ins are nearly endless. The peanut butter cup version below converts this sophisticated desert to something whimsical.

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My Favorite Chocolate Cheesecake Shown with optional Rasberry Topping

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups chocolate animal cracker crumbs. Can substitute with chocolate graham, chocolate shortbreads, etc.
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

Filling

  • 3 8 oz. packages of cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate melted

Boiling water

 

Optional Raspberry Topping

  • 1 package frozen raspberries (10-12 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (more to taste)

Optional chocolate and sour cream topping

  • 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate melted
  • 3/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

  1. Pulsate chocolate crackers in a food processor to produce 2 cups of fine cookie crumbs. Add butter and Process. Press crumbs onto the bottom of a 9” spring form pan. Bake at 325º until set, about 8 minutes. When cooled, double wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with heavy aluminum foil to seal. Increase oven temperature to 350º.

  2. Mix cream cheese and sugar in the processor. Add eggs one at a time followed by melted chocolate. Scrape sides with a spatula and continue beating until smooth. 

  3. Pour cheesecake filling in springform pan. 

  4. Water bath. Place aluminum wrapped springform in a roasting pan. Place them in the middle of the oven. Pour hot water in the roasting pan until the bottom inch of the springform is under water. 

  5. Bake until filling is just set in the center, about 40 to 50 minutes. Take pans out of oven. Remove springform from roasting pan but do not remove cheesecake from springform. When cool, remove foil, and place cheesecake in refrigerator to set overnight.

  6. Next day prepare choice of topping.

  7. Raspberry topping: Place frozen raspberries into a pot. Stir over medium high heat until raspberries thaw. Stir in sugar for several minutes. When cooled to room temperature, spread over cheesecake. Place back into the refrigerator. Topping will thicken as it cools. 

  8. Remove and plate cheesecake an hour before serving.

  9. Chocolate and sour cream topping: Wisk melted chocolate and sour cream. Spread over the cheesecake and refrigerate until ready to serve.
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