Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake
If you are looking for a cheesecake for the ultimate chocolate lover, you have to make this decadent chocolate cheesecake!
Warning: do not attempt to view, make or devour this recipe if you do not like chocolate. A lot of chocolate. Copious amounts of deep, dark chocolate.
Including a buttery chocolate crust topped with a luscious, creamy, rich cheesecake layer, topped again with a silky, dreamy dark chocolate ganache and topped finally with whimsical chocolate curls.
Death by chocolate.
And what a way to go.
One Year Ago: Chicken Corn Chowder
Two Years Ago: Pumpkin Apple Spice Muffins
Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 (9-ounce) package (255 g) chocolate cookies, such as chocolate wafers, graham crackers or teddy grahams
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter, melted
Filling:
- 10 ounces (283 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I use Ghirardelli)
- 4 packages (8-ounces each) (908 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups + 2 tablespoons (290 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (21 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 large eggs
Topping:
- ¾ cup whipping cream
- 6 ounces (170 g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Chocolate curls for garnish
Instructions
- For crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch-high sides (or use a 10-inch springform pan with 2-inch sides). Process the chocolate cookies in a food processor (or the old-fashioned way with a bag and a rolling pin) until they are finely ground. Transfer them to a small bowl and mix in the sugar. Add the melted butter and mix until well combined. Press the crumbs evenly onto the bottom only of the prepared pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Keep the oven heated at 350 degrees.
- For filling: Melt the 10 ounces of chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler until melted and smooth. Cool the chocolate until lukewarm but ensure that it is still warm enough to be pourable. In a large bowl (or with a stand mixer), blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust; smooth the top. Bake until the center is just set and just appears dry, about 1 hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
- For topping: One hour before serving (or up to 3 days ahead of time), stir cream, 6 ounces chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over the center of the cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until the topping is set, about 1 hour.
- When ready to serve, release the springform pan sides. Transfer the cheesecake to a platter. Top with chocolate curls. It is preferable to let the cheesecake stand at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted slightly from epicurious.com/referred to me by my excellent bro Nate
I made this for Easter dinner and it was a show stopper! It is more like a mousse rather than cheesecake. I, of course, had to do 2 slight variations. I used a oreo cookie crust and before applying the topping I placed rum marinated strawberries on the filling.
It was pure Y U M M Y and thank you for posting the recipe on the internet.
Jim
I took this to a Easter egg hunting party yesterday and it was a hit. Everyone loved it! Thanks again for another great recipe.
Beautiful! That looks as lovely as any of the cheesecakes at Ray’s in NYC.
This was so great! I made this for my family last week and my husband has been talking about how good it was the rest of the week. Thanks for another great recipe!
I saw a picture of this on the sidebar when I was reading another one of your recipes, and my mind instantly said “Ohh..what is that?” I clicked on the picture and I about died. “Decadent” is a good name for it. Chocolate and me are BFFs. I don’t know if it was a good or bad thing for me to come upon this recipe. 😉
Beautiful! And I’m sure very tasty as well!
Just wondering if its ok to prepare the cake and topping. A day or so in advance? Would the ganache effect the presentation/quality of the cake?
Hi Caroline – I can respect your views on healthy eating, however, I do have to defend my position, especially in light of the fact that I haven’t ever marketed my blog as “Healthy Eating 101” or anything of the like. Healthy eating means something different to each person and although I do use salt, heavy cream and sugar, I pride myself on the fact that I very rarely use preprocessed or “junk food” ingredients. I believe in whole foods and I have made strides in that direction, but I also am a moderation kind of gal and feel great about my level of healthy eating, although I do have many goals for improvement on the horizon. Feel free to google other food blogs that might tailor recipes to your style. I admire your commitment and fortitude to healthy eating!
Aliciâ – yes, this cheesecake can definitely be made up to 3 days in advance. If kept well-covered in the refrigerator, it should work out great!
I LOVE this recipe!! It’s so rich and creamy, I won’t even try another recipe because this is the perfect one for me. I divide the batter into canning jars and bake to make individual servings and then top them with ganache. Thank you for the recipe!
Made it to take to a Super Bowl party. It was a perfect chocolate cheesecake. Super thick, super rich, and super chocolatey–so much so that you only need a small sliver to satiate a sweet (or chocolate) tooth.
I want to thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve made cheesecakes many times before, but this one is by far the most beautiful. My Mom was very impressed (which is saying something). She even took half of it home. Anyway, thank you very much. This is one recipe I’ll make for many years to come.
Alexandria – I’m thrilled that your mother loved this so much and that you did, too. Thanks for letting me know!
It’s time for chocolate madness! Lol. My kids will surely love this one since it is full of chocolate layers. To complete the chocolate madness thing we should add some chocolate syrup. LOL. Thanks for the recipe.
WOW! This recipe is so indulging! My hubby will surely love the chocolate-y cake of yours. Better make this before my hubby gets home. Thanks for the recipe. Actually it’s our anniversary and this will make our relationship sweeter.
Oh my! I need to try this one!!!!!!!!!
very rarely am i conquered by a dessert–i almost always like my plate clean. i have a sneaking suspicion that this’d give me a run for my money. wowza.
I just passed out after I saw that first pic. I love chocolate and this looks like heaven on a plate.
Oh, I love it! I am chocoholic and cheesecake fan 🙂 Great recipe for me 😉 Thx!
I love your blog. It’s funny because so many recipes I’ve taken years to find are all right here (THE cornbread took me literally hundreds of attempts until I found the same recipe you have posted). My eight year old thinks you spy on us and steal “my” recipes. All these years I really just needed your blog, lol! I’ve made lots of chocolate cheesecakes before, but this one looks awesome! I can’t wait for an excuse to blow my diet and try it.
Thanks, Chelsea – and I promise I’m not stealing any of your recipes. 🙂
That looks wonderfully creamy and dense… it’s making me want chocolate!! Great pictures.
Holy Mother!!!!! That looks FABULOUS!!!!! How I want some right now!!!
I made this over the weekend, and it turned out fabulous! I ended up leaving it in the oven for about an hour and a half, and it was perfect. Consider me dead.
Thanks, Marissa! So glad you liked it…I hope you were able to come back to life. 🙂
Death by chocolate- my preferred way to go out.
I just sent a link to my husband asking for this for my birthday!
Wow! Speechless.
My dad would absolutely love this cheesecake. He is the biggest chocolate lover! Your pictures make it look irresistible. I just made your Skillet Chicken with Mexican Green Rice and loved it (oh and I made sure to use Mild enchilada sauce – LOL).
Death by chocolate .. what a delightful way to go!
I’d take death by chocolate over just about any other death. This looks fantastic.
OMG!! Today the photos are available on my screen and it looks totally yummy. Guess I will have to try this.
Thank you.
I have never seen a more perfect delicious cheesecake you have mastered this one!
I’m actually not a fan of chocolate, but even this looks good! These pictures are fabulous.
Chocolate heaven! WOW incredible job!
Wow! I reckon my Husband would fall in love with me all over again if I made this cheesecake for him. Thanks for sharing ;0)
With ganache on top!!! oh my!
this looks unbelievable, perfect name!
Oh my gosh, decadent doesn’t even begin to describe that cheesecake. That is a chocoholic’s fantasy. I love the chocolate curls on top, they’re so pretty.
That is just insane. Looks too good to be true, too.
This looks amazing! Cheesecake is one of my absolute favorite desserts. I swear I would eat it everyday if it wouldn’t make me monster. 🙂
Did I read right, butter the bottom of the springfoam pan and only crust on the bottom? Would parchment paper work?
Lisa, yes, only spread the crust on the bottom. You could definitely use parchment paper if you cut it the same diameter as your springform pan.
OH MY! I want to take a bite out of my screen! This would go perfect with a cup of coffee. Perfect for PMSing! I would eat the whole thing by myself,can’t wait to try this!
Photos were not available and when I clicked on the area I received a message that it was a 404 error??
But it sounds wonderful.
My son and I were just saying how we felt like chocolate cheese cake. Perfect timing as this recipe sounds so good! Thanks!
lol, guess I’m out as I’m not a fan of chocolate. 🙂 I will though keep it in mind for the chocolate lovers that I know.
Happy Friday!
~ingrid
OMG!! This looks so good…my mouth is watering…….
You’re killing me!
Oh my goodness. That looks so amazing. I think that really will be the death of me.
I’m so glad I just bought a springform pan!!
Mel, your pictures are just getting better and better! I’ve noticed you on foodgawker a few times 😉 This cheesecake looks incredible. There seriously is not time (or money in the grocery budget) to make all the recipes I want to make!
That is truly the prettiest cheesecake I’ve ever seen! 🙂
Looks easy and just what I need this PMSing week!
You had me at chocolate! 🙂 Can you ever have too much? Wow- I agree with Jessica- what a gorgeous presentation, Melanie!
Gorgeous presentation. Cheesecake is my favorite dessert. I want to lick my screen!