Introduction
Are you a fan of chocolate and cheesecake? Then, you’re in for a treat with our very cherry Ghirardelli chocolate cheesecake recipes. These recipes will take your taste buds on a journey that you’ll never forget. The combination of chocolate, cherries, and cheesecake is a match made in heaven. So, let’s dive into the recipes and get ready to indulge in decadence.
Recipe 1: Very Cherry Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed chocolate graham crackers
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a bowl, mix together the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1 cup sugar together until smooth.
- Add in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Stir in the Ghirardelli chocolate chips.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the cheesecake is set.
- Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Top with cherry pie filling before serving.
Nutritional Information
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 465
- Total Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 144mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 45g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 36g
- Protein: 7g
Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 hours or overnight
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan
- Bowl
- Mixer
- Spatula
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cheesecake chilled and topped with cherry pie filling. You can also drizzle chocolate sauce on top for an extra indulgence.
Variations
Instead of cherry pie filling, you can use raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry pie filling. You can also substitute the Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter chocolate taste.
Substitutions
If you can’t find chocolate graham crackers, you can use regular graham crackers and add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the crust mixture.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
Make sure to let the cheesecake cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This will prevent any condensation from forming on the cheesecake.
Notes
You can make this cheesecake up to 2 days in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze this cheesecake?
Yes, you can freeze this cheesecake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can I use a different type of chocolate chips?
Yes, you can use any type of chocolate chips you like. Milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips would work well in this recipe.
Recipe 2: Very Cherry Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed chocolate graham crackers
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a bowl, mix together the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar together until smooth.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Stir in the Ghirardelli chocolate chips.
- Pour the mixture over the prepared crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheesecake is set.
- Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Top with cherry pie filling before serving.
Nutritional Information
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 308
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 89mg
- Sodium: 275mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 29g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 5g
Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 2 hours or overnight
Equipment
- 8×8 inch baking dish
- Bowl
- Mixer
- Spatula
Serving Suggestions
Cut the cheesecake bars into small squares and serve them as bite-sized desserts. Top each square with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry.
Variations
Instead of cherry pie filling, you can use raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry pie filling.
Substitutions
If you can’t find chocolate graham crackers, you can use regular graham crackers and add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the crust mixture.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips
Make sure to let the cheesecake cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This will prevent any condensation from forming on the cheesecake.
Notes
You can make this cheesecake up to 2 days in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze these cheesecake bars?
Yes, you can freeze these cheesecake bars. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.