Decadent Chocolate Bliss Cheesecake 🍫✨

Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake

🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 10

Indulge in the rich decadence of this Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake! Perfect for any occasion, this creamy delight will have your taste buds dancing with joy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 12 oz cream cheese
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chocolate Crumb Crust:

   • Follow your favorite recipe for a chocolate crumb crust or use store-bought.

2. Preheat Oven:

   • Position the oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

3. Melt Chocolate:

   • In a double boiler, combine the chopped chocolate and unsalted butter.
   • Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
   • Once melted, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Prepare Cheesecake Batter:

   • In a large mixing bowl, cut the cream cheese into 1-inch cubes.
   • Beat the cream cheese at medium speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Incorporate Chocolate Mixture:

   • Gradually beat in the melted chocolate mixture until smooth and well combined.

6. Add Cream and Vanilla:

   • While continuing to beat the mixture, slowly add the heavy cream and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

7. Incorporate Sugar and Eggs:

   • Gradually add the granulated sugar, beating until absorbed.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

8. Sieve Cocoa Powder:

   • Sieve cocoa powder over the batter and beat at low speed until fully incorporated.

9. Assemble and Bake:

   • Pour the batter into the prepared chocolate crumb crust, spreading it evenly.
   • Gently rotate the pan to settle the batter.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

10. Cool the Cheesecake:

    • Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake stand with the door ajar for 30 minutes.
    • Transfer the pan to a wire rack away from drafts and let it cool completely until the sides and bottom of the pan reach room temperature.

11. Chill Overnight:

    • Once cooled, remove the sides of the pan and refrigerate the cheesecake uncovered overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

12. Serve:

    • Just before serving, sieve powdered sugar lightly over the top of the cheesecake.
    • Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.

13. Enjoy!

    • Slice and serve this luscious Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake to your delighted guests. Every bite is a taste of heaven!