Choco Berry Cheesecake Treat (Print-Friendly Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust ingredients
01 -
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers or broken chocolate cookies
02 -
1/4 cup white sugar
03 -
1/2 cup melted butter, unsalted
→ Filling mix
04 -
3 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
05 -
1 cup white sugar
06 -
1 tsp vanilla flavoring
07 -
3 large eggs
08 -
1/2 cup sour cream
09 -
1/4 cup whipping cream
→ Chocolate topping
10 -
1 cup whipping cream
11 -
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits
→ Fresh fruit layer
12 -
1 lb strawberries, tops removed and cut
13 -
1/4 cup strawberry spread or jelly (if you want)
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
Heat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix the cookie crumbs and sugar in a bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until it all sticks together. Push this mix down hard into a 9-inch springform pan to create your base. Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes, then take it out to cool down.
02 -
Grab a big bowl and beat the soft cream cheese with sugar till it's creamy. Add the vanilla and mix again. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing gently each time. Fold in the sour cream and whipping cream till everything's smooth. Pour this mixture 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 edges look firm but the middle still wobbles a bit. Switch off the oven but leave the cake in there for an hour. Then take it out, let it cool completely, and put it in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
04 -
Warm up the cream in a small pot until tiny bubbles form. Pour this hot cream over your chocolate bits in a heat-safe bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until it's all melted and shiny. When it's cooled down a bit, spread it all over your cold cheesecake. Pop it back in the fridge for 30 minutes to harden.
05 -
Cut up all your strawberries and if you want, warm up some strawberry spread until it's runny. Brush this over your cut strawberries to make them look shiny.
06 -
Once your chocolate has set hard, arrange your sliced strawberries on top however you like. Keep it cold until you're ready to serve it.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
Plan ahead: You'll want to make this treat a day early since it needs lots of time in the fridge.
02 -
Switch up the base: Try using different cookies instead of graham crackers or add some cocoa powder for extra flavor.
03 -
For smooth filling: Make sure your cream cheese isn't cold and don't mix too much after adding eggs.
04 -
Other fruits work too: You can use raspberries or blueberries instead, but strawberries taste best with this dessert.
05 -
Serving advice: Don't let it sit out too long before eating or the chocolate will get soft.