Description

This Chocolate Fudge Truffle Cheesecake is the ultimate indulgent dessert, layered with a rich chocolate crust, dense creamy filling made with bittersweet chocolate, and topped with a silky ganache. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any chocolate craving moment.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Crust:

1 cup graham crackers, crushed (or chocolate wafer cookies)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup baking cocoa
¼ cup melted butter

For the Cheesecake Filling:

12 oz bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli preferred)
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
5 large eggs
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Ganache Topping:

6 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped
⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp butter, melted

Optional Garnish:

Reddi-Wip or homemade whipped cream
Chocolate syrup
Chocolate shavings or curls

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.
Make the Crust:
In a bowl, mix crushed graham crackers, sugar, cocoa powder, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Melt Chocolate:
Using a double boiler, gently melt bittersweet chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Prepare Filling:
In a mixer or food processor, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add both sugars and cocoa powder; mix until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Pour in cream and vanilla, mixing gently. Fold in melted chocolate until combined.
Bake Cheesecake:
Pour batter into crust. Bake for 75–80 minutes or until center is just slightly jiggly. Turn off oven, crack the door, and let cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
Chill:
Remove from oven, cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Make Ganache:
Heat cream and butter, then pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Spread evenly over chilled cheesecake.
Serve:
Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and shavings if desired. Slice with a hot knife for clean cuts.

Notes

For added depth, mix 1 tsp espresso powder into the filling or ganache.
Use a water bath for extra-smooth texture and to prevent cracks.
Cheesecake improves in flavor and texture after 24 hours.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 80 minutes + Chill Time: 6–12 hours
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 610 kcal
Sugar: 38 g
Sodium: 210 mg
Fat: 46 g
Saturated Fat: 27g
Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 145 mg

Keywords: Chocolate fudge truffle cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, ganache cheesecake, holiday dessert, rich chocolate cake