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Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake

Yield: 12 Slices
Prep Time: 13 hours 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 14 hours 45 minutes

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

Chocolate Curls: I use this method. 
Plan Ahead: this cheesecake needs to be chilled overnight so plan ahead!
Make Ahead: the good news is this cheesecake can be made all the way through the topping, covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days before serving. It is preferable to let the cheesecake stand at room temperature 1-2 hours before serving.