This is a spectacular chocolate cheesecake. It's perfect for special occasions, holidays or parties. If it is your first attempt at making a cheesecake, no worries. You can do it!
Crust:
1 1/2 c. chocolate graham cracker (or chocolate cookie) crumbs
1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c. (half a stick) butter, melted
Cheesecake:
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
1 1/4 c. white sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
3 T. all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. Bailey’s (or other Irish cream liqueur)
Chocolate Ganache, optional:
1/2 c. heavy cream (or half and half)
4 oz. dark chocolate
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
Crust: In a large bowl, mix together cookie/cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa; add melted butter; stir until well mixed.
Pat into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes; set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
Cheesecake: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, white sugar, cocoa and flour; beat at medium speed until blended and smooth. (DO NOT over-mix.) Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and Irish cream liqueur; mix on low speed until blended. Pour filling over baked crust.
Optional: To prevent cracking in the cheesecake, make a water bath. Fill a 9 × 13 (or other size) glass pan halfway with water; place on the bottom rack while the oven preheats, and then while the cheesecake cooks.
Place the cheesecake in the oven on the shelf above the water bath; bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees; bake for 60 minutes.
With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool; remove the rim of pan. Chill for a few hours before serving.
Optional: To prepare the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a bowl; heat cream (or half and half) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until almost boiling. Remove from heat; pour over the chocolate chips; let sit for 30 seconds; stir until chocolate chips have melted and are mixed in well. Pour over the top of the cheesecake; sprinkle with chocolate chips or chocolate shavings, if desired.