Description

Indulge in the rich and luscious flavors of Dark Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake. This decadent dessert combines the smooth creaminess of chocolate cheesecake with the tartness of cherries, creating a delightful balance that will impress your guests at any gathering. Whether it’s a birthday party, holiday celebration, or a cozy weekend treat, this cheesecake is sure to be the star of the show. Its stunning swirls of cherry compote not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide an irresistible sweet-tart contrast to the creamy filling. With straightforward steps and easily accessible ingredients, you can whip up this gourmet dessert with minimal effort. Plus, it’s perfect for making ahead—just chill overnight for optimal texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs (such as Oreo, without filling)
4 tablespoons melted butter
16 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
8 oz dark chocolate, melted
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ cup granulated sugar (for cherry compote)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water (for cherry compote)

Instructions

Prepare cherry compote by simmering cherries with sugar and water until softened. Thicken with cornstarch slurry and cool.
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix cookie crumbs, melted butter, and sugar; press into a springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Beat cream cheese until smooth; add sugars, sour cream, vanilla extract, and melted dark chocolate until combined. Mix in eggs one at a time.
Assemble cheesecake by layering half of the batter and dolloping half of the cherry compote; swirl together. Repeat with remaining batter and compote.
Bake in a water bath for 50-60 minutes or until edges are set but center jiggles slightly. Cool gradually in the oven before refrigerating for at least 6 hours.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 120g)
Calories: 400
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter. Avoid overmixing after adding eggs to prevent cracks. Experiment with different fruits for the compote like raspberries or blueberries.