Black Forest Cheesecake Symphony with visible layers of ultra-creamy chocolate

 

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cookie Crust:

2 cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs

4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 pinch sea salt

For the Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

4 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), melted and cooled

2 tbsp cocoa powder

2 large eggs

For the Vanilla Bean Layer:

12 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

2 large eggs

For the Cherry Compote Layer:

2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp Kirsch (cherry brandy) or water

1 tsp lemon juice

For Garnish (optional):

1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings

6 whole maraschino cherries with stems

Fresh whipped cream

Directions

Preheat your oven to 160°C. Grease a 9-inch springform

pan and wrap the outside in heavy-duty foil.

Mix cookie crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Press firmly

into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let

cool.

Chocolate Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until

smooth. Add sour cream, cocoa powder, and melted

chocolate. Incorporate eggs one at a time on low speed.

Pour over the crust and level the surface.

Vanilla Layer: In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese,

sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Add heavy cream and

eggs, mixing until just combined. Gently pour this over

the chocolate layer using the back of a spoon to prevent

mixing, ensuring visible layers.

Place the pan in a large roasting dish filled with 1 inch of

hot water (water bath). Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until

the edges are set but the center slightly jiggles. Turn off

the oven and let cool inside with the door cracked for one

hour.

Cherry Compote: Simmer cherries, sugar, cornstarch,

lemon juice, and Kirsch in a saucepan for 10 minutes

until thickened and glossy. Cool completely.

Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours (ideally

overnight).

Before serving, spread the cold cherry compote over the

top.

Finish with whipped cream dollops, chocolate shavings,

and whole cherries.