I made this recipe from Southern Living for Christmas and everyone just loved it! The recipe makes two 9 inch cheesecakes so it feeds a lot of people. This three layered cheesecake has a rich brownie bottom layer with a center layer of cream cheese and a decadently rich chocolate glaze covering the top. The recipe is easily halved. The Chocolate Glaze top layer is intended to divide between the two cheesecakes. However, I used one full recipe to top one cheesecake. Allow 8 hours chilling time. This cheesecake is absolutely delicious and I am sure you will enjoy it, too!
Ingredients
Cheesecake
Chocolate Glaze
Garnishes
Cheesecake
Chocolate Glaze
Garnishes
Nutrients
Calories 6829.5
Calories from Fat 3991 g
Total Fat 443.5 g
Saturated Fat 246.3 g
Cholesterol 1996.2 mg
Sodium 2427.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 650.4 g
Dietary Fiber 35.3 g
Sugars 532 g
Protein 102.3 g
Step by step method
Step 1
Sprinkle 1/2 cup toasted and chopped pecans evenly over the bottom of each of 2 greased and floured 9-inch springform pans.
Step 2
Microwave chocolate squares in a microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 1/2 minutes, stirring at 30-second intervals until melted.
Step 3
Stir until smooth.
Step 4
Beat butter and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Step 5
Add 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
Step 6
Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.
Step 7
Add flour, beating at low speed just until blended.
Step 8
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and chocolate morsels.
Step 9
Divide batter evenly between pans, spreading over chopped pecans.
Step 10
Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; add 1 3/4 cups sugar, beating until well blended.
Step 11
Add 7 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
Step 12
Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.
Step 13
Divide cream cheese mixture evenly between each pan, spreading over brownie batter.
Step 14
Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until set.
Step 15
Remove from oven; cool cheesecakes completely on wire racks.
Step 16
Spread top of each cooled cheesecake with 1 recipe Chocolate Glaze; cover and chill 8 hours.
Step 17
Remove sides of pans before serving. Garnish with mint sprigs and sliced strawberries, if desired.
To Make the Chocolate Glaze
Step 1
Melt 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup whipping cream in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt.
Step 2
Whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. If you wish, double the Chocolate Glaze recipe if making two cheesecakes.
