Steel Magnolia Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A decadent and creamy chocolate cheesecake is encrusted with two kinds of buttery, chocolate crumbs and layered with cherries to make a delightful dessert for any special occasion.
Alison:
Serves: 12 pieces
Grocery List
  • 12 whole chocolate sandwich cookies
  • 1 sleeve of chocolate graham crackers
  • 5 T. butter
  • 2 - 20 oz. cans of cherry pie filling
  • 2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 c. sour cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 - 8 oz. packages of cream cheese
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 4 large eggs
Here's how...
  1. Using a food processor, chop 12 chocolate sandwich cookies (including cream filling) and one sleeve of chocolate graham crackers. This should total about 2 1.2 c. crumbs. To these, add 5 T. melted unsalted butter and pulse until mixed thoroughly. Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides about halfway in a 9" springform pan. ( Note: I have used both a 9" and an 8" springform pan successfully. Please note that if you use an 8", you may not be able to fit two entire cans of cherry pie filling.)
  2. Add 1 can of cherry pie filling over the crust. If using an 8" pan, use about ¾ can of pie filling.
  3. Simmer a few inches of water in a small saucepan and add a glass bowl to sit in the top to make a double boiler and melt semisweet chocolate chips. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add in sour cream and vanilla and stir to completely combine.
  4. In a mixing bowl combine room temperature cream cheese and sugar. Mix well.
  5. Add eggs, one at a time, to the cream cheese and sugar letting each incorporate before adding another.
  6. Use a spatula to gently fold the chocolate mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Gently scoop the chocolate cheesecake mixture over the cherry pie filling and crust. Place on a baking sheet and into the oven to bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes, watching for the center to become firmed up and no longer jiggly. It's okay if it cracks a bit while cooking or cooling as the cherries make the whole thing look perfect.
  7. Let cool completely and then refrigerate overnight.
  8. Set the whole cheesecake on a serving platter and slide a butter knife around all of the edges to release the cheesecake from the pan and then open the pan's latch to set it free!
  9. Garnish with the additional can of cherries, freshly whipped cream, and chocolate shavings if desired.
Recipe by That Which Nourishes at https://thatwhichnourishes.com/steel-magnolias-chocolate-cherry-cheesecake/