Description
Rich German chocolate meets creamy cheesecake in this Black Forest Cheesecake masterpiece, blending classic dessert traditions with modern indulgence. Smooth chocolate layers and luscious cherry compote create an irresistible symphony of flavors you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
Main Chocolate Components:
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (like Oreos)
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (21 ounces/595 grams) can cherry pie filling
- 1 cup fresh cherries (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Garnish (Optional):
- Whipped cream
- Fresh cherries
- Chocolate shavings or curls
Instructions
- Pulverize chocolate wafer cookies into fine crumbs, blending with melted butter until the mixture achieves a compact, sandy consistency. Press the crumbly base firmly into the bottom of a springform pan, creating an even, solid foundation for the cheesecake.
- Whip cream cheese until smooth and velvety, gradually incorporating sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Fold in sour cream and mix until the filling becomes luxuriously creamy and free of any lumps.
- Pour the silky cream cheese mixture over the prepared cookie crust, ensuring an even distribution. Position the pan in a preheated oven within a water bath to prevent cracking and promote uniform baking.
- After baking, allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours to set and develop its rich, dense texture.
- Craft a luscious chocolate ganache by gently melting dark chocolate with heavy cream, stirring until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
- Layer cherry preserves over the chilled cheesecake, creating a vibrant fruity landscape. Drizzle the decadent chocolate ganache across the surface in elegant, artistic swirls.
- Garnish with fresh cherries, whipped cream rosettes, and delicate chocolate shavings. Slice with a heated knife to create pristine, picture-perfect servings of this indulgent Black Forest masterpiece.
Notes
- Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly base that maintains the same delicious texture and flavor.
- Reduce sugar content by using dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentage and adding stevia or monk fruit sweetener for diabetic-friendly modification.
- Whip cream cheese at room temperature prevents lumpy filling and ensures silky smooth consistency throughout the cheesecake.
- Cherry liqueur can be replaced with cherry juice or omitted entirely for a non-alcoholic version that still captures the classic Black Forest essence.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg