Choco-Berry Cheesecake Treat (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust ingredients
01 -
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers or crumbled chocolate cookies
02 -
1/4 cup white sugar
03 -
1/2 cup melted butter, unsalted
→ Filling mixture
04 -
3 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
05 -
1 cup white sugar
06 -
1 tsp pure vanilla flavor
07 -
3 big eggs
08 -
1/2 cup tangy sour cream
09 -
1/4 cup whipping cream
→ Chocolate topping
10 -
1 cup whipping cream
11 -
1 cup dark chocolate bits
→ Berry garnish
12 -
1 lb strawberries, tops removed and cut
13 -
1/4 cup strawberry spread (if you want)
# How to Make It:
01 -
Heat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix together the cookie bits and sugar in a bowl. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it looks like wet sand. Push this mix down hard into a 9-inch springform pan. Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes, then pull it out to cool.
02 -
Grab a big bowl and beat the soft cream cheese with sugar till it's fluffy. Add the vanilla and mix. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing gently each time. Fold in the sour cream and whipping cream until everything's smooth. Pour this over your cooled base.
03 -
Stick your cake in the oven at 325°F (163°C) for about 55-60 minutes. You'll know it's done when the sides are firm but the middle still wobbles a bit. Don't take it out yet! Just turn off the heat and leave it sitting in there for another hour. Then take it out, let it cool completely, and stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
04 -
Warm up the cream in a pot until you see tiny bubbles forming. Dump this hot cream over your chocolate bits in a bowl that won't melt. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until it's all shiny and smooth. When it's not super hot anymore, spread it on your cold cheesecake. Put it back in the fridge for half an hour.
05 -
Cut up your strawberries and if you want them extra pretty, warm up some jam until it's runny. Brush this over your cut berries to make them shiny.
06 -
After your chocolate has firmed up, arrange your sliced strawberries on top however you like. Keep it cold until you're ready to eat it.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Plan ahead: This treat tastes better after sitting overnight in your fridge.
02 -
Switch things up: Try using all chocolate cookies for the base or throw in some cocoa powder for extra flavor.
03 -
Get it smooth: Make sure your cream cheese isn't cold at all or you'll end up with lumps. Don't beat the mix too much after adding eggs.
04 -
Berry options: You can swap in other berries if you want, but strawberries really work best here.
05 -
Keep it cool: Don't leave this out too long before serving or it'll get soft and messy.