Rich Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake 🍫🍓🍰
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs 🍪
1/4 cup granulated sugar 🥄
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
16 oz cream cheese, softened 🧀
1 cup granulated sugar 🥄
1 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
3 large eggs 🥚
1 cup sour cream 🥛
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted 🍫
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced 🍓
1/4 cup granulated sugar 🥄
1 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
1 tbsp cornstarch 🌾
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and give that 9-inch springform pan a good greasing!
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the chocolate cookie crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let it cool.
3. While that's cooling, heat a saucepan over medium heat and combine the sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook until it thickens, stirring gently—about 5-7 minutes—and then let it cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract first, then the eggs one by one, mixing until just combined. Stir in the sour cream and cocoa powder until everything is well-blended, and fold in the melted chocolate.
5. Pour half of that delicious cheesecake filling into the cooled crust, drop spoonfuls of the strawberry mixture on top, and use a knife to swirl it around gently. Pour in the remaining cheesecake filling and repeat the swirling with the leftover strawberry mixture.
6. Pop that cheesecake in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until it’s set but still a little jiggly in the center. Turn off the oven and leave it inside to cool for an hour—trust me, this helps!
7. Once it’s cooled, refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight. When you’re ready, take it out of the pan, slice it up, and indulge in the layers of chocolate and strawberry goodness! Optionally, you can garnish with fresh strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy your Rich Chocolate Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake!