Dreamy Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe: Sweet Cherry Bliss

Decadent chocolate and luscious cherries dance together in this irresistible black forest cheesecake recipe that promises pure dessert bliss.

Rich layers of creamy goodness meld perfectly with deep cocoa notes and bright fruity accents.

Every slice offers a luxurious experience that captures the essence of classic German pastry traditions.

The velvety cheesecake base provides a smooth canvas for waves of chocolate and sweet cherry compote.

Dark chocolate shavings and plump cherries crown this stunning dessert, creating a visual masterpiece that rivals professional bakery creations.

Chocolate lovers and cheesecake enthusiasts will fall head over heels for this show-stopping treat that transforms an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

One bite, and you’ll understand why this dessert is destined to become your new favorite indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 65 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 434 kcal

Servings: 13

Black Forest Cheesecake Ingredient List

• Oreo Cookies: Rich chocolate sandwich cookies that create a decadent, crumbly base with deep chocolate flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the cookie crumbs together, ensuring a sturdy and compact cheesecake foundation.

• Dark Chocolate: Premium chocolate between 50-70% cocoa provides intense, sophisticated chocolate depth.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat, brick-style ensures smooth, creamy texture and rich tangy flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and balances the intense chocolate and cream cheese flavors.
• Cocoa Powder: Enhances chocolate intensity and adds deep, complex chocolate undertones.
• Hot Water: Helps dissolve cocoa powder and integrate chocolate notes seamlessly.
• Sour Cream: Adds luxurious tang and silky smooth texture to the cheesecake.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cheesecake ingredients together.

• Fresh Sweet Cherries: Ripe, juicy cherries add bright, fruity contrast to rich chocolate.
• Lemon Juice: Balances sweetness and prevents cherries from browning.
• Cornstarch: Thickens cherry sauce, creating glossy, luxurious texture.
• Whipping Cream: Creates light, airy topping with delicate sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Softens and sweetens whipped cream.
• Chocolate Shavings: Optional decorative element adding elegant chocolate texture.

Tools That Help Create Black Forest Cheesecake

• Springform Pan: 9-inch size, essential for creating and releasing cheesecake easily.
• Aluminum Foil: Wrap pan tightly to prevent water leakage during water bath baking.
• Food Processor or Rolling Pin: Crush Oreo cookies into fine crumbs.
• Heatproof Bowl: Melt chocolate smoothly using microwave.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Blend cream cheese, sugar, and other ingredients.
• Whisk: Mix cocoa powder and blend ingredients thoroughly.
• Roasting Pan: Create water bath for even baking and moisture.
• Wire Rack: Cool cheesecake after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurately measure ingredients.
• Spatula: Scrape bowl sides and smooth cheesecake surface.

Black Forest Cheesecake Instructions for Success

• Chocolate Cookie Foundation

Create a decadent base using crushed Oreo cookies mixed with melted butter. Press firmly into a springform pan, ensuring an even layer that climbs slightly up the sides for a beautiful presentation.

• Chocolate Cheesecake Batter

Blend cream cheese with rich dark chocolate, creating a smooth mixture that promises intense flavor. Incorporate cocoa powder and eggs gently, maintaining a silky texture that will melt in your mouth.

• Water Bath Technique

Wrap the pan carefully in multiple layers of foil to prevent water seepage. Place the cheesecake inside a larger pan filled with hot water, which helps create a luxurious, creamy consistency during baking.

• Precise Baking

Bake until the surface looks mostly set but still has a slight jiggle when gently nudged. The perfect texture requires careful attention and patience during the cooking process.

• Cherry Sauce Finale

Simmer fresh cherries with a touch of sugar and lemon, creating a vibrant sauce that adds bright contrast to the deep chocolate base. Let the sauce cool completely before adorning your masterpiece.

• Chilling and Serving

Allow the cheesecake to rest in the refrigerator for several hours, giving the flavors time to develop and the texture to become wonderfully dense and smooth. Serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.

Sweet Touches for Black Forest Cheesecake Flavor

• Use a cherry pitter to quickly remove stones from fresh cherries, ensuring clean, professional-looking fruit for topping.
• Wrap springform pan's exterior with multiple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent water seepage, creating perfectly moist cheesecake texture.
• Chop dark chocolate into small, uniform pieces and melt slowly at 50% microwave power, stirring frequently to avoid burning and achieve smooth consistency.
• Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing, which prevents lumps and creates ultra-creamy cheesecake filling with silky-smooth results.
• Prepare cheesecake up to three days in advance, storing covered in refrigerator, which actually improves flavor development and allows toppings to meld perfectly.

Serving Tips for Black Forest Cheesecake

• Cherry Garnish Galore: Top your Black Forest Cheesecake with glistening halved cherries, creating a stunning visual centerpiece that adds a burst of tangy sweetness to each decadent slice.
• Chocolate Drizzle Delight: Melt extra dark chocolate and gracefully drizzle thin streams across the cheesecake's surface, creating elegant chocolate ribbons that elevate the dessert's luxurious appearance.
• Whipped Cream Wonder: Pipe delicate swirls of fresh whipped cream around the cake's edges, complementing the rich chocolate base and providing a light, airy contrast to the dense cheesecake texture.
• Kirsch Kick: For an authentic Black Forest twist, lightly sprinkle high-quality kirsch (cherry brandy) over the finished cheesecake, intensifying the cherry flavor and adding a sophisticated adult touch to this decadent dessert.

Store Black Forest Cheesecake to Keep It Fresh

• Smooth Serving Strategy: Keep cheesecake refrigerated in an airtight container for maximum freshness, ensuring it stays delectable for up to 5 days without losing its rich flavor profile.
• Freezing Freedom: Slice and individually wrap portions in plastic wrap, then store inside freezer-safe containers for convenient 1-month storage, perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Temperature Transition: Remove cheesecake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing it to soften slightly and enhance its creamy texture, making each bite more indulgent.
• Smart Separation: Use parchment paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking, maintaining the pristine appearance and preventing potential damage to delicate chocolate-cherry layers.

Decadent Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful Black Forest Cheesecake combines rich chocolate layers with luscious cherry compote and creamy filling. Chocolate graham cracker crust and whipped cream garnish complete this German-inspired dessert that satisfies chocolate and cherry cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 24 oz (680 g) full-fat cream cheese, brick-style
• 10 oz (280 g) dark chocolate, between 50 to 70%
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 10 oz (280 g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
• ¾ cup (180 ml) sour cream, 18% MF
• ½ cup (120 ml) whipping cream
• 24 Oreo cookies, including wafers and filling
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps water
• 2 tsps powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsps hot water
• Boiling water for water bath
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Pulverize Oreo cookies into fine crumbs, blend with melted butter, and press firmly into a foil-wrapped 9-inch springform pan, extending slightly up the sides. Bake at 325°F for 8 minutes and maintain oven temperature.
2. Chocolate Integration: Melt dark chocolate in microwave, stirring between intervals until smooth. In a large mixing bowl, cream cream cheese and sugar, then gradually incorporate melted chocolate, ensuring complete blending.
3. Batter Development: Whisk cocoa powder with hot water, creating a silky mixture. Fold into cream cheese batter along with sour cream, maintaining a smooth consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing gently to prevent air bubble formation.
4. Baking Technique: Position foil-wrapped pan in a larger roasting pan, pour cheesecake filling evenly over crust, and smooth the surface. Add boiling water around the pan’s exterior to create a 1/2-inch water bath. Bake for 55-65 minutes until the top is mostly firm with a subtle center jiggle.
5. Cooling and Resting: Remove from oven and allow gradual cooling within the water bath, then transfer to a wire rack. Once touchable, cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or preferably overnight.
6. Cherry Topping Finalization: Simmer halved cherries with sugar and lemon juice, incorporating dissolved cornstarch to create a thickened sauce. Cool completely before final cheesecake assembly.

Notes

Prevent Crust Crumbling: Compress cookie crumbs firmly and evenly to create a stable, compact base that won’t fall apart when slicing the cheesecake.

Chocolate Melting Mastery: Use short microwave intervals and constant stirring to melt chocolate smoothly, avoiding burning or seizing the delicate chocolate.

Water Bath Wisdom: Wrap springform pan meticulously with multiple aluminum foil layers to block water infiltration, ensuring a perfectly dry and intact cheesecake bottom.

Egg Incorporation Technique: Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently and minimally to maintain a silky smooth texture and prevent unwanted air pockets in the final cheesecake.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 434
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg