Description

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!

Ingredients

• 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

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch springform pan.
2. Crust: In a large bowl, mix together cookie/cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa; add melted butter; stir until well mixed.
3. Pat into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes; set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.