Kahlua Chocolate Cheesecake
User Reviews
5
Kahlua Chocolate Cheesecake
Description
This cheesecake begins with an Oreo crust pressed into a springform pan, lightly greased and wrapped for water bath baking. The chocolate cheesecake filling combines very soft cream cheese and sour cream for smoothness, eggs and egg yolks for structure, sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and vanilla for flavor complexity. Melted semi-sweet chocolate and Kahlúa are folded in at the end to add richness and distinctive coffee-liqueur flavor.
Baked in a water bath to prevent cracking, the cheesecake results in a dense, creamy texture with balanced chocolate and Kahlúa notes. The chocolate ganache topping made from chopped chocolate and heavy cream adds a silky, glossy layer.
Whipped cream sweetened and flavored with vanilla completes the dessert for serving. This cheesecake pairs well with coffee or after-dinner beverages and serves as a sophisticated dessert choice.
Ingredients
For the Oreo Crust:
- 24 Oreo cookies
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Kahlua Chocolate Cheesecake Filling:
- cream cheese very soft
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 egg large, plus 2 extra yolks
- 1 granulated sugar 1/2 cups
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Kahlúa
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted and slightly cooled
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F). Wrap a 9" spring form pan VERY well in layers of heavy-duty tin foil; lightly grease the pan with non-stick spray; set aside.
For the Oreo Crust:
- Add the Oreos to the body of a blender and pulse until the cookies are fine crumbs. Stir in the melted butter, mixing well to combine. Dump the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing the crust down firmly and slightly up the sides. Set aside.
For the Kahlua Chocolate Cheesecake Filling:
- Beat cream cheese and sour cream in a blender until completely smooth. Add in the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and cinnamon; pulse until well combined. Add cocoa powder and vanilla and pulse for another 30 seconds, or until cocoa powder has completely disappeared into the batter. Don't over mix! Using a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate and Kahlua, stirring gently until combined.
- Pour filling into prepared crust, spread evenly, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
- Place the springform pan in a large baking pan (with high sides) and fill the pan halfway with hot water; this is your water bath (see post if you need more information on this). Place cheesecake in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake sit for 45 minutes inside the oven with the door shut. The cheesecake should be still slightly wiggly in the center. Remove from oven and gently run a knife around the edge of the cake, loosening any bits that may have gotten stuck while baking. Allow cheesecake to rest on the counter for 30 minutes before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating for at least 6 hours. When ready to serve pour the ganache on top of the uncut cheesecake and place it back in the fridge for 10 minutes (this will help the ganache set). Slice, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve!
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- Add the chocolate to a large, heatproof bowl; set aside.
- Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium-heat just until it begins to bubble around the edges; about 2 minutes. Remove the cream from heat and pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let the chocolate and warm cream stand untouched for 1 minute, then whisk it together until the chocolate melts and a smooth ganache forms; about 2 minutes. Pour the warm ganache over the cheesecake before serving.
For the Whipped Cream:
- Place the heavy cream and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high until semi-stiff peaks begin to form. Add in the vanilla and beat for another minute or so. Dollop on top of cheesecake slices right before serving, or place in the refrigerator until needed. Keeps for 48 hours.