Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Chocolate and cherries seem like they were made for each other. Combine them with cheesecake and you have a match made in Heaven. This easy cheesecake is perfect for any occasion. If possible, prepare it a day ahead as the flavors benefit from chilling overnight.


Ingredients:

Crust:
1 (8 1/2 oz.) pkg. chocolate wafers, finely crushed
1/2 c. butter, melted

Filling:
1 12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
2 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
4 eggs
3/4 c. cherry flavored liqueur
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:
1 can cherry pie filling
Baking Instructions:

In large bowl, combine chocolate wafer crumbs and butter. Pat firmly into greased 9" spring form pan, covering bottom and approximately 2 1/2" up the sides. Chill 30 minutes.

Filling:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a double boiler over hot but not boiling water, combine the chocolate morsels and heavy cream. Stir constantly until morsels are melted and mixture is smooth; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar; beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add chocolate mixture, cherry flavored liqueur and vanilla extract; mix until blended. Pour into the prepared crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Check to see that the cheesecake is nearly set, but that the center is soft as it will become firm during cooling.

Turn the oven off. Carefully run a thin knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it. Let it stay in the oven with the door ajar 1 hour. Remove; cool completely. Chill overnight.

Topping:

Top with cherry pie filling once cheesecake is cool.