Description
Silky chocolate cheesecake promises pure indulgence for dessert enthusiasts. Rich chocolate layers blend creamy textures with deep cocoa notes, delivering a luxurious experience that will satisfy intense chocolate cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 12 ounces (340 grams) semi-sweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
Crust Ingredients:
- 3 cups (300 grams) Oreo crumbs
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter, melted
Flavoring and Topping Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons (20 grams) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons (15 grams) natural unsweetened cocoa powder (for whipped cream)
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) sour cream, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for whipped cream)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- 4 ounces (115 grams) semi-sweet chocolate (for ganache topping)
- 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) heavy whipping cream (for ganache topping)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream, cold (for whipped cream)
- 4 tablespoons (30 grams) powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
- Chocolate baking bar (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a 9-inch (23 centimeters) springform pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper and lightly greasing the sides to ensure easy cake removal.
- Crush Oreo cookies into fine crumbs and mix thoroughly with melted unsalted butter, creating a uniform base mixture.
- Press the cookie-butter blend firmly and evenly into the pan’s bottom, creating a compact and smooth crust foundation.
- Bake the crust in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for 8-10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (148°C) for the primary cheesecake baking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy, gradually incorporating granulated sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Gently fold in sour cream, pure vanilla extract, and instant espresso powder, ensuring no lumps remain in the mixture.
- Melt high-quality dark chocolate using a double boiler, then slowly incorporate into the cream cheese mixture while continuously stirring.
- Add large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky, homogeneous texture.
- Transfer the chocolate cheesecake batter into the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Place the springform pan inside a larger baking dish filled with hot water, creating a water bath to ensure uniform heat distribution.
- Bake for approximately 1 hour and 20-25 minutes, watching for slight wobbling in the center while edges appear set.
- Turn off the oven, leave the cheesecake inside with the door slightly ajar for 30 minutes to prevent cracking.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for 5-6 hours.
- Prepare chocolate ganache by heating heavy cream until it reaches a near-boiling point, then pour over finely chopped chocolate.
- Whisk the ganache until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency, then generously spread over the chilled cheesecake.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe decorative whipped cream patterns across the ganache-covered surface.
- Garnish with delicate chocolate shavings, creating an elegant and tempting presentation.
Notes
- Chilling this decadent dessert overnight intensifies the rich chocolate flavor and allows ingredients to meld perfectly.
- Water bath technique ensures creamy, crack-free texture by providing gentle, even heat distribution during baking.
- Espresso powder secretly amplifies chocolate’s depth without creating a coffee taste, making the cheesecake taste more intensely chocolatey.
- Room temperature ingredients prevent lumpy batter and guarantee smooth, silky cheesecake consistency.
- Cooling process matters tremendously – gradual temperature reduction prevents surface cracking and maintains luxurious texture.
- Chocolate shavings add elegant finishing touch, transforming simple dessert into gourmet masterpiece.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 579 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 366 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg