Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 1 hour + cooling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Oct. 22, 2022
My love for chocolate-covered cherries inspired this fun and fancy cheesecake that's perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 32 wafers)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • CHEESECAKE:
  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 4 ounces white baking chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, drained, rinsed and quartered
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • TOPPING:
  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons shortening, divided
  • 1/2 ounce white baking chocolate

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine chocolate crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 10-in. springform pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla. Gently fold in cherries and pecans. Pour into crust.
  3. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  4. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
  5. In a microwave, melt the semisweet chocolate, butter and 1 teaspoon shortening; stir until smooth. Cool for 2 minutes; pour over cheesecake. Spread over the top and let it run down the sides. Cool.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt white chocolate and remaining shortening. Drizzle over the top. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 405 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 266mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.