Chocolate cheesecake is the favorite among cheesecakes and not without reason. This recipe for chocolate cheese cake is the perfect end to a special dinner. This chocolate dessert is so exotic that save it only for very special dinners like wedding dress rehearsals and Christmas. Chocolate cheese cake is a challenging recipe just like baking any dessert recipe is. As this is a recipe for chocolate cheesecake and not just any chocolate cake the softness typical to a cheesecake has to be preserved while baking.
Chocolate Cheesecake
YIELD: Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
Crust
- 24 wafer cookies (from one 9-ounce package)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
Filling
- 1 9.7-ounce bar 70% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate,* chopped
- 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 large eggs
Topping
- 3/4 cup whipping cream
- 6 ounces 70% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate,* chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Bittersweet chocolate curls
Preparation
For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides. Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar. Add melted butter and process until well blended. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable. Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth. Blend in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour filling over crust; smooth top. Bake until center is just set and just appears dry, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.
For topping:
Stir cream, 6 ounces chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour. Do ahead: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated.
Release pan sides. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Top with chocolate curls. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.
