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Hello. My name is Karly and I’m a cream cheese addict. It’s been…13 seconds since I last stuck my finger in the tub of whipped cream cheese and licked it clean.
Forgive me.
I know that some people are just thoroughly disgusted by cream cheese. I know this, because I add it to ev.er.y.thang and I always get little comments like, “It’d be better without cream cheese.” Or, “I’ll make this and substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese.” Or, the ever insightful, “Gross. Cream cheese is nasty!”
To which I always say, you’re wrong. Cream cheese is life and if you don’t know that, I’m really quite sorry.
Anyway, here I am today with a PERFECTLY NORMAL recipe featuring cream cheese. I did not sneak it into my cheeseburger casserole and cause a riot. I just politely said, look, this is cheesecake and cheesecake requires cream cheese and then I put all of the cream cheese into the cheesecake like a normal human being.
Got it?
I also went ahead and made this cheesecake with a chocolate swirl, because obviously chocolate makes everything better. The crust is made out of crushed up graham flavors with a hit of cocoa powder for good measure.
The only special equipment you should need is a springform pan, which Amazon sells at a great price. Here’s the one I have! Don’t worry about it being a one-dish wonder, because you can also use it to make my Taco Pie (a serious crowd pleaser), my raspberry buttermilk cake, or my caramel pecan brownie cake! Lots of uses!
Hope you enjoy this one! It’s pretty easy, but it looks so impressive.
Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3 8- ounce packages cream cheese room temperature
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
Instructions
- To make the crust, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Wrap the outside of a 10-inch springform pan in a double layer of foil. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cocoa powder, and butter in a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Press the crust into the pan to form a crust.
- Prepare the filling by adding the room temperature cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
- Beat until creamy. Beat in the condensed milk. Add the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan.
- Prepare the chocolate swirl by melting the chocolate chips and shortening in a small, microwaveable bowl for 30 seconds on low speed. Stir until melted.
- Drizzle half of the chocolate over the batter and use a wooden skewer to swirl it through the batter.
- Gently pour the remaining cheesecake batter over the chocolate swirl. Repeat with the remaining chocolate.
- Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and leave the door closed. Let sit for 1 hour. Allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly in the warm oven will help prevent it from cracking.
- Remove from the oven to the counter top to cool completely. Refrigerate for 4 hours or more before serving.
Laurie D says
Delicious, however the crust stuck to the bottom, even after spraying. Next time, I will use parchment paper as well.
Sarah Jane says
Just put it the oven! I forgot to spray the pan so I’m praying to the baking God it doesn’t stick too bad. Thanks for the recipe.
Karly says
Good luck! Hope it turns out for you! ๐
Sara says
My husband said this was the best cheesecake I made to date. He also requested I make it again for his birthday. Some of my chocolate pooled in places at the bottom of the cheesecake which I was embarrassed about but friends who ate it said it just added to the awesomeness of it! Thank you and I can’t wait to try more of your stuff!
Karly says
So glad you and your friends enjoyed! ๐
Ralph says
Cream cheese isn’t exactly bacon. You cant add it to EVERYTHING. But cheesecake is absolutely delicious, and cheesecake isn’t cheesecake without cream cheese. You can spread it on bagels, bread, etc. If they say they don’t like cream cheese, just say “I’m so sorry, but … more for me!”
Jen says
This is in my oven right now for my son in laws birthday! I have only made cheesecakes adding sour cream. The batter with sweetened condensed milk is so creamy to mix. Can’t wait to try! It looks beautiful too… Just like the picture….Not a Pinterest fail ๐
Barbara says
Looks delicious! ย Two questions… first, why wrap the pan in foil and … second, I don’t have a stand mixer, can I just use my hand held mixer?
Karly says
Springform pans have a tendency to warp and leak a bit. I wrap the pan in foil so I don’t have to clean my oven should anything leak out. ๐
You can definitely use your hand mixer.
Terrie says
I baked this cheesecake yesterday and followed the recipe exactly. It tasted good but was rather stiff and dry. ย I think it needs less baking time, any suggestions?
Karly says
Hi Terrie! This does make a firm cheesecake, but it shouldn’t be dry. I would suggest reducing the baking time a bit or reducing your oven temperature. It may run a bit hotter than mine. ๐
Carol Kunkel says
Do you put it in the water bath?
Karly says
I don’t use a water bath for this one.
Debbie says
Just to add more decadence … any reason you can’t drizzle (or pour) fudge topping (like that thick, ooey, gooey Mrs. Richardson’s fudge topping for ice cream) over the top of it? ?
Karly says
That would make a great addition just before serving. ๐
Karen says
Do you bake the crust before putting the cream cheese filling in ?? You start the recipe with to make the crust, preheat the oven to 300 but then there’s nothing being put in the oven until it’s all put together….. please advise…
Karly says
No, the crust and the cheesecake all get baked together.
Karen F says
I too noticed this . Thanks for asking!
Frank J Smith says
Chocolate and cheesecake. Mmmm the union of my two favorites..and a perfect weekend indulgence. Thanks KARLY for sharing this yummy recipe.
Luda says
Hey what is the size of the spring form pan?
Karly says
It’s a 10 inch pan. ๐
Sam says
Get in my belly please!! That swirl is perfection! xxย
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
My husband’s favorite dessert ever is cheesecake, especially chocolate! I love the “I put cream cheese in it like a normal human being.” I’m totally the weirdo that would try and sneak something in that doesn’t belong….
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
I’ll have this ENTIRE cheesecake, please! It looks awesome, and I could be quite content eating it all by myself. No sharing. Lol!! That sounds awfully stingy of me, huh?!