Description
A rich and creamy cheesecake that combines the sweetness of fresh cherries with indulgent dark chocolate. Perfect for special occasions or a decadent treat.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup melted butter
Filling
- 24 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz dark chocolate, melted
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
Topping
- ½ cup cherry preserves
- 4 oz dark chocolate, melted for ganache
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Mix chocolate cookie crumbs with melted butter. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition.
- Stir in sour cream and melted dark chocolate until fully incorporated.
- Gently fold in the pitted cherries.
- Pour filling over the crust in the springform pan.
- Place the pan in a water bath (a larger pan filled with hot water) to prevent cracking.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until the center is slightly wobbly and registers 145°F on a thermometer.
- Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours to set.
- Melt cherry preserves and dark chocolate together and spread the mixture over the chilled cheesecake for a glossy, flavorful topping.
Notes
- Substitute semi-sweet or milk chocolate for dark chocolate to adjust sweetness.
- Use frozen cherries thawed and drained if fresh aren’t available.
- Add a splash of cherry liqueur to the filling for extra flavor.
- Top with whipped cream and extra fresh cherries for garnish.
- Try adding toasted nuts or chocolate chips to the crust for texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
