Dark Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Recipes

DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For the crust: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray a 6-inch springform pan with cooking spray to coat the bottom and sides.
• Add the graham crackers to a resealable plastic bag. Using your hands or a rolling pin, crush the graham crackers into crumbs. Transfer them to a mixing bowl and add the melted butter. Fold and press together with a spatula until a loose, crumbly mixture is made. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and press to create an even base for the cheesecake. Chill the crust in the fridge while you make the filling to set the base.
• For the filling: Add the chocolate to a heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring with a spatula, until the chocolate is melted and completely smooth. Set aside.
• Mix the cream cheese, sugar and cocoa powder in a food processor until smooth. Remove the lid and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla, salt and egg and process until completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides once more. Turn the machine back on and while the machine is running, drizzle in the melted chocolate and allow it to completely incorporate into the mixture.
• Pour the chocolate filling over the prepared crust and smooth out the top with a spatula. Transfer the cheesecake to the center rack and bake until the filling is no longer soupy but still slightly jiggly, about 32 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door just a hair. Allow the cheesecake to sit in the warm oven for 15 more minutes with the door ajar.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a cooling rack and let cool for 30 minutes.
• Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan to help free the cheesecake, but keep it in the pan. The cheesecake will continue to shrink while it cools and this step makes it easier to separate the cheesecake when you are ready to serve it.
• For the topping: Pour the cherry pie filling onto the cooled cheesecake and smooth into an even layer, leaving a bit uncovered around the edges. Cover the springform pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• When you are ready to eat, remove the cheesecake from the fridge and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine chocolate crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. , In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla. Gently fold in cherries and pecans. Pour into crust. , Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. , Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. , In a microwave, melt the semisweet chocolate, butter and 1 teaspoon shortening; stir until smooth. Cool for 2 minutes; pour over cheesecake. Spread over the top and let it run down the sides. Cool. , In a small saucepan, melt white chocolate and remaining shortening. Drizzle over the top. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND CHERRY CHEESECAKE GALETTE

Steps:

• Pulse the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and pulse until it resembles coarse meal mixed with pea-size bits of butter, 10 to 15 times. Add the egg mixture and pulse until the dough just starts to come together, about 10 times. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap, using the plastic to help form it into a disk. Wrap tightly and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Whisk together the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, egg yolk and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator, about 45 minutes. Toss the cherries with the sugar, almond extract and lemon juice and set aside.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and place a rimmed baking sheet on it. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the dough lightly with flour on both sides and roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch round that is about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment and place on an inverted baking sheet.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture over the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border on all sides. Sprinkle the chopped chocolate over the cream cheese and top with the cherries. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as needed. Brush the crust with the egg white and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• Slide the galette and parchment paper onto the preheated baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving, about 30 minutes.

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• For Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly butter a 9 inch springform pan.
• Pour graham cracker crumbs into bottom of pan. Drizzle with melted butter and press to form a thin crust.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
• For Filling: Melt chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. Remove from heat, and bring to room temperature. Consistency should be pourable.
• Meanwhile, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy.
• Add sugar, and blend at medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
• Blend in eggs, one at a time. Beat until fluffy.
• Add vanilla extract, and whip to combine.
• Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently as you are adding ingredients, to ensure that everything is well incorporated.
• Gently stir in the melted chocolate, just until combined.
• Carefully stir in the dried cherries.
• Pour filling into room temperature crust.
• Wrap bottom of springform pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, and place in a large roasting pan. Set on center oven rack. Carefully fill roasting pan with boiling water, about 1 inch up the side of the springform pan.
• Bake 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees, or until center is just set.
• Remove from oven, and allow to cool about 5 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake. Do not remove the springform pan.
• Cover, and chill overnight.
• Enjoy!