NY-Style Cheesecake Topped with Dark Chocolate Ganache
So are you ready to savor a slice of pure heaven? Well, I started with my Creamy NY-Style Cheesecake and dressed it up for festive occasions by draping it with a tantalizing dark chocolate ganache. But I didn’t stop there! Feeling playful, I embellished this gorgeous cheesecake even further by mounding the center with white chocolate curls. A true indulgence? Absolutely. However, I feel that if you vow to eat healthfully most days, certain celebrations such as Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries and parties or when you just feel like having a special treat may be worthy of the splurge. Enjoy!
Recipe Inspired by: Perfect Cheesecake from Simply Recipes
Yield: about 12 servings
Recipe Inspired by: Perfect Cheesecake from Simply Recipes
Yield: about 12 servings
Ingredients
- 9- inch springform pan
- Parchment paper
- Butter for greasing pan bottom
- Foil
- Roasting pan
- Boiling water
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 2 sleeves of graham crackers)
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Pinch salt
Filling
- 32 ounces cream cheese room temperature, cut into chunks
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 4 large eggs
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 4 ounce bar semisweet chocolate (see MPM Mini-Bites)
- 1 4 ounce bar bittersweet chocolate (see MPM Mini-Bites)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
White Chocolate Curls
- 1 4 ounce bar white baking chocolate
Instructions
Prepare the Pan
- Detach bottom of pan from ring. Trace bottom of pan on parchment paper; cut to fit. Butter bottom of pan. Press paper circle onto bottom of pan. Assemble pan. Tightly wrap bottom and sides of pan with foil to prevent any potential leakage of batter.
Make the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir together all crust ingredients with a fork until crumbly.
- Using the back of a measuring cup, press crumbs firmly and evenly onto bottom of pan and about 2 inches up sides.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes. Remove to a rack; let cool.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
Make the Filling
- In an electric mixer bowl set on medium speed, beat cream cheese for 4 minutes or until smooth and creamy with no lumps remaining.
- Gradually add sugar, vanilla and salt, beating until well combined.
- Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, scraping bowl after each addition.
- Add whipping cream and sour cream, scraping down sides of bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
- Pour filling into prepared crust. With a spatula, smooth top.
Baking, Cooling and Chilling
- Carefully pour boiling water into roasting pan, filling about half-way. Place on bottom rack of oven. (The steam will provide a most environment which helps to prevent the cheesecake from cracking.)
- Place cheesecake on rack above roasting pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until firm to the touch and center is still a bit “jiggly.” (Surface of cheesecake may also look a little wet and be lightly browned. This is okay.)
- Turn off oven. With door partly open, allow cheesecake to remain in the in oven for 1 hour to slowly cool. (prevents cracking)
- Remove cheesecake to a rack to complete cooling.
- Cover top of cheesecake pan with foil; refrigerate (with springform ring on for support) for at least 8 hours or until completely chilled. (preferably overnight).
- Remove springform ring. (If desired, first carefully remove parchment paper and pan bottom from cheesecake with a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss using a “sawing” motion. Place cheesecake on a decorative plate.
Dark Chocolate Ganache (make after cheesecake is thoroughly chilled as per above)
- Roughly chop both the semisweet and bittersweet chocolates. Place in a medium bowl.
- In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour cream over chopped chocolate.
- Allow to sit for 1 minute. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
White Chocolate Curls
- There are many ways to make chocolate curls, but if this is your first time, this method is the simplest. Break the bar into thirds. Gently run the edge of a vegetable peeler down the long side of the bar, allowing the chocolate to “drape” over the back of the peeler forming curls. (If the bar starts to soften, chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.) Do not be concerned if some curls break or form into shavings. Also, some pieces may just form into strips and not curl. Your decorations will look beautiful, regardless! Refrigerate until you are ready to decorate your cheesecake.
Assembly and Serving
- Pour chocolate ganache over chilled cheesecake, allowing to drip freely over the sides. Refrigerate cheesecake uncovered until set, about 4 hours.
- Decoratively arrange white chocolate curls (and shavings) in center of cheesecake. Chill uncovered until serving.
- Feel free to further adorn this lovely cheesecake by surrounding the serving plate with the freshest of seasonal berries or perhaps even a garland of beautiful flowers.
- If you don’t have time to make the white chocolate curls, the cheesecake will still look quite beautiful.
- For easier slicing, remove cheesecake from refrigerator about 20 minutes prior to serving.
- Cut cheesecake into small slices. If desired, garnish with berries and/or freshly whipped cream.
Notes
Make Ahead and Storage Tips: this cheesecake keeps extremely well and can be made up to one week ahead. Wrap tightly and refrigerate. Cheesecake may also be frozen for up to 6 months.
Definitely indulgent! As this cheesecake is very rich, small slices will definitely satisfy. Perfect alone or served with just a simple accompaniment of berries and/or freshly whipped cream.
Always one to choose the healthiest and least refined ingredients when making sweets… I used Organic Sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners and Organic Honey Graham Crackers from Annie’s Homegrown. Both are available at natural food store such as Whole Foods as well as in some supermarkets. Feel free to choose the products you normally use.
Need a gluten-free crust alternative? Kinnikinnick’s S’Moreables Graham Style Crackers or Graham Style Cracker Crumbs are absolutely delicious! Both are available in natural food stores such as Whole Foods or online.
For a rich-tasting ganache, choose a high-quality dark chocolate. While there are many expensive types of dark chocolate out there, I have chosen a combination of Ghirardelli’s Semisweet and 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate baking bars which are reasonably priced and widely available in grocery stores.
Are you a springform pan newbie? Look for a sturdy pan with a tight clasp. There are several good ones on the market today. I recently purchased one by Caphalon which I really like. Springform pans are available at stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond and cooking specialty stores such as Sur La table and Williams Sonoma as well as online.
Prefer to go plain? This cheesecake is absolutely delicious on its own without the ganache and white chocolate curls. Another cheesecake you may love is my Dark Chocolate Fantasy Cheesecake.
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