Classic Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
Nothing makes a festive table feel truly complete like a decadent Chocolate Orange Cheesecake. This dessert is a masterclass in flavor harmony, combining the deep, earthy richness of dark chocolate with the bright, zesty citrus of sun-ripened oranges.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 24 oz full-fat cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 oz dark chocolate melted and cooled
- Ganache: 4 oz dark chocolate + ½ cup heavy cream
- Garnish: Candied orange slices and chocolate curls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 8 minutes, then cool.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, followed by sour cream, orange zest, juice, and vanilla.
- Fold in the melted chocolate until just combined.
- Pour the mixture over the crust. Place the pan in a larger baking dish filled with 1 inch of hot water.
- Bake for 60–70 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
- Turn off the oven and prop the door open; let cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- For ganache, pour hot heavy cream over chopped chocolate, let sit for 5 minutes, stir until smooth, and pour over the chilled cake.
- Garnish with orange slices and serve.