Description
Luxurious chocolate strawberry swirl cheesecake brings Italian creamy richness with summer berry elegance. Sweet and tangy layers dance across silky surfaces, inviting passionate dessert seekers to savor each luscious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Crust:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) chocolate cookie crumbs
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8-ounce / 226 grams) blocks cream cheese
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) fresh strawberries, sliced
Supplementary Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chocolate sauce
Garnish and Topping:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chocolate ganache
- 8–10 fresh strawberries, whole or halved
Instructions
- Crush chocolate cookies and blend with melted butter until sandy-textured, then firmly press into a 9-inch springform pan, creating a compact base at 325°F for 8 minutes.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth, gradually incorporating eggs one at a time to maintain a creamy consistency.
- Blend vanilla extract and sour cream into the mixture, ensuring a uniform texture without lumps.
- Divide the cheesecake batter into two portions, layering the first half over the cooled crust.
- Distribute sliced strawberries evenly across the initial batter layer, then drizzle melted chocolate strategically over the fruit.
- Pour remaining cheesecake batter on top, using a knife to create intricate chocolate-strawberry swirls throughout the mixture.
- Position the springform pan inside a larger roasting pan filled with hot water, creating a gentle water bath for even baking.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes at 325°F, watching for set edges with a subtle center jiggle that indicates perfect doneness.
- Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for one hour, preventing sudden temperature changes.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal texture and flavor development.
- Unmold the chilled cheesecake, embellish with rich chocolate ganache drizzles, and garnish with fresh strawberries for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Crumb Consistency Matters: Ensure cookie crumbs are finely ground for a compact, even crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Water Bath Technique: Always use hot water in the roasting pan to create gentle, even heat distribution, preventing cheesecake surface from cracking and ensuring smooth, creamy texture.
- Ingredient Temperature Control: Allow cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to reach room temperature before mixing to create a silky, lump-free batter that blends seamlessly.
- Swirling Artistry: When creating chocolate marbling, use gentle, light strokes with a knife to achieve beautiful, natural-looking swirls without overmixing the batters.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg