Black Forest Cheesecake Bliss

1. Prepare the Crust:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or line it with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, mix the chocolate graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt together.
• Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is fully combined and resembles wet sand.
• Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan to form an even crust.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).
• Add the sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until fully combined.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream.
• Fold in the melted chocolate and cocoa powder until fully combined.
• Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.

3. Bake the Cheesecake:

• Bake the cheesecake at 325°F (160°C) for 55-65 minutes, or until the center is just set (it should still slightly jiggle).
• Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool with the door slightly ajar for 1 hour (helps prevent cracking).
• After the hour, remove from the oven and cool completely at room temperature.
• Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best results.

4. Prepare the Cherry Topping:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat.
• Stir occasionally and cook for about 10-12 minutes until the cherries soften and release their juices.
• If you want a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a little cold water, then stir it into the cherry mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before topping the cheesecake.

5. Make the Whipped Cream:

• In a chilled mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
• Be careful not to overwhip; you want the cream to be fluffy, not stiff.

6. Assemble the Cheesecake:

• Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, spread a layer of whipped cream on top of the cheesecake.
• Spoon the cherry topping evenly over the whipped cream.
• Garnish with chocolate shavings or chocolate curls and a few fresh cherries for a beautiful finish.

7. Serve and Enjoy:

• Carefully remove the cheesecake from the springform pan.
• Slice into generous pieces and serve the indulgent Black Forest Cheesecake Bliss!

Tips for the Perfect Cheesecake:

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth filling without lumps.
• Prevent cracking: If you’re worried about cracks, consider baking the cheesecake in a water bath. Simply place the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water, making sure the water comes halfway up the sides of the pan.
• Chill overnight: The cheesecake tastes best when it has had time to chill overnight. The flavors will meld, and the texture will be perfect.

This Black Forest Cheesecake Bliss is the ultimate indulgent dessert—creamy, rich, and packed with all the flavors of Black Forest cake! Let me know how it turns out! 🍒🍫🍰