"Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer."
DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
~ 'Icy blue' Hubbard Lake
~ Henry David Thoreau
DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
~ Rich, dense, classic ... a forkful or sliver will not kill!
(favorite treat adapted from Bon Appetit - Oct 2006)
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Crust:
24 Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
Filling:
10 oz. high-quality chopped bittersweet chocolate
4 (8-oz.) packages (room temperature) Philadelphia cream cheese
1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder
4 large organic eggs
Topping:
3/4 cup whipping cream
6 oz. chopped high-quality bittersweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. sugar
Bittersweet chocolate curls
- Crust: Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Butter 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch high sides. Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar. Add melted butter and process until well blended. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.
- Filling: Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable. Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth. Blend in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour filling over crust; smooth top; Bake until center is just set and appears dry, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.
- Topping: Stir cream, 6 oz. chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low hear until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 -inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated)
- Release pan sides. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Top with chocolate curls. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving. (12 servings)
~ 'Icy blue' Hubbard Lake
Comments
This is a keeper recipe. I can hardly wait.
Jen
Lovely winter country photos.
xoxo Tyra
Dig in Jen! This fav dessert is part of my Saturday party fare (not a low calerie weekend ;)
You've got it, dear Tyra, indeed a 'red alert'! Since we've been home from the lake, blue skies have evaporated ... we're in for a doozy Artic freeze and snowy week (already 8+ inches on the ground).
Marnie
Cheesecake, mmmmmm..... Sounds sinfully delicious.
Batten down the hatches! And try to stay warm.
I love old barns also, Beckie ... so photogenic! Thanks for the weather warning ... it's been quite the winter and not over yet!
Frances
LOVE the photos, especially the barn. I too have a thing for old barns. We have an oil painting of an old barn winter scene, and it's framed with old barn siding. I love it. It was a gift from the artist about 30 years ago, and it's a prized posession.
Brenda
I love the barn photo!
Now, let's talk about this recipe. My gosh, girl-- are you trying to breakdown my resistance!
Lead me not into temptation, I can find the chocolate on my own.
I won't let myself read beyond the barn photo. I had to close my eyes to scroll down to the comments to avoid reading that recipe! :-)
In fact, I've been reading your title for hours now and avoided coming to your blog for fear that I'd be lured into the Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake! LOL
Cameron
PS -- I had to read the recipe. It sounds too sinful.
Delicious sounding... dangerous for me! (I Never stop at one forkful!) ha.
I'm with you, Frances. Whatever it takes to get us through the seasons. We'll all work it off, right?
My dear Kathryn ~ I can't stop laughing! As you noted, my head rides between all things that I love ... now wondering, should I correct my recipe, loving the way it reads? (Perhaps for those that don't garden, YES!)
There is just something about barns, Linda. I would love to see your prized photo. Someday, I'll post many of my favorites ... but with a recipe? Perhaps ...
Was is it about barns, Brenda? I'm often off and about, breaking to shoot.
I'm all about temptation, dear Cameron :) My dream is for all to cook and embrace the joy in the kitchen when not out in the garden ... to me, all go hand in hand. I can't imagine a gardener without an herb garden! We all have to eat (albeit this recipe is a bit overboard ;)
Who can stop at a forkful, dear Shady! But we can try like Dolly Parton (that is how she keeps her youthful top-heavy figure ... useful when we bend over in the garden :)
And I don't even LIKE cheesecake, as a rule. Wow. Brilliant, dear Joey, absolutely brilliant. I'm sure it's the perfect cure for winter.
I skimmed over the recipe--too tempting when I've made up my mind to diet:)
I'm so happy you liked this photo, dear Rose. We pass the old red barn each time coming home from the lake but it looked especially charming surrounded by pristine snow and the old red pickup truck. Forget the cheesecake ... I'll eat your piece and do double-sessions on my treadmill (see what a good friend I am :)
We just can't have enough chocolate desserts...this recipe sounds wonderful. I have to agree with the other folks...a lovely post and the barn photo is very nice! Such a winter we are all having. (word verification~~chap) Gail
Lovely contrast between the red truck, red barn, and pristine white snow.
Are you enjoying this weather as much as I am, dear Marysol :) Thanks for the lovely comment ... bet you have a 'blow-away' recipe for chocolate cheesecake?
Jan
Warm Wishes my favorite Garden Friend!
Always enjoy my visits here joey, and always leave inspired,uplifted, and HUNGRY!:D
Hugs
Cat