Black Forest Cheesecake
A decadent twist on the classic cake—rich, creamy chocolate cheesecake layered with sweet cherry filling and topped with whipped cream for an elegant, indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
Crust:
1½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs (Oreo crumbs work well)
¼ cup granulated sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Chocolate Cheesecake Filling:
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup sour cream
8 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping:
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping
Chocolate shavings or curls (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside in two layers of heavy-duty foil to prevent water seepage during baking.
Make the Crust:
In a bowl, mix cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Chill while preparing the filling.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add sour cream, melted chocolate, and vanilla; mix until fully combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, just until incorporated—do not overmix.
Bake the Cheesecake:
Pour the filling into the crust. Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and add hot water until it comes halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly wobbly.
Cool:
Turn off oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Remove from the water bath, run a knife around the edge, and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Add the Topping:
Spoon cherry pie filling over the top of the cheesecake. Pipe whipped cream around the edges and garnish with chocolate shavings if desired.
Tip: For a stronger cherry flavor, drizzle some of the pie filling syrup over individual slices before serving.
Yield: 12 servings
Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes active + cooling time