Saturday, January 30, 2010

Chocolate Cheesecake

It's my birthday today! I wasn't going to post on my birthday because I'm not cooking on my birthday (not even for my crying son who is begging for funnel cakes) but my mom made me this chocolate cheesecake so I couldn't resist posting it! This is the first thing I've ever posted that I didn't make myself (I must admit it feels a little weird to post something I didn't cook)! This chocolate cheesecake was perfect, and so delicious with the fresh berries! Mmmm!
So, guess what I got for my birthday?! I'll give you a clue... the first thing I opened was butter! Then I got a pearl necklace... then two Enameled Cast Iron Pots... and three Julia Child books! My presents were Julia Child themed, how cute is that?! I have such a wonderful family! Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped from inside of pod and reserved
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
8 ounces melted semisweet chocolate, cooled slightly
Fresh berries, for garnish (and to eat with the cheesecake)
Whipped cream, for garnish
Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (if using a silver springform pan, or 325 degrees F if using a dark nonstick springform pan).

Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch spring-form pan. In a mixing bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and the butter and mix well. Press onto the bottom of springform pan and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, remaining cup of sugar, vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds and beat until light and creamy. Add the flour to the cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and sour cream and mix well. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition until just blended. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the center is almost set. Run a sharp knife around the rim of the pan and allow cake to cool on a wire rack before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving. Cheesecake may be made up to 2 days in advance before serving and will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Top the cheesecake with chocolate shavings and serve garnished with fresh berries and whipped cream.

17 comments:

Coleens Recipes said...

Happy Birthday Carrie!!! It looks like you had the PERFECT birthday. The cheesecake looks delicious and the gifts just couldn't be better (love the butter). What a great family.

ann low said...

Happy Birthday to you Carrie! The cheesecake looks perfect and what's a nice gift you've got.

Faiza Ali said...

happy birthday Carrie !! the cheesecake looks perfect dear... and nice gifts. Perfect for a food blogger :D

Katy ~ said...

Oh my sweet friend, Happy Birthday!! Many happy returns of the day.

You do delight my heart with your sweet smile and, of course, your recipes!

What great birthday presents you received; love those enameled cast iron pots! And the butter makes me LOL. Will you be like Donna Reed and wear your pearls while you're making dinner from your Julia Child cookbook? (Are you even old enough to know who Donna Reed was?! LOL)

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday to you!!! The chocolate cheesecake looks out of this world fantastic! I would love a slice. Your gifts are so nice...love that you got the butter!!!

Kel Baking Life said...

Thta is too cute...I wish people would give me more cooking stuff at my bday...But they can never figure that out :)) . Happy Bday to you!

Marianna said...

Happy Birthday Carrie! I look forward to seeing your post on beouf bourguignon!! Don't forget to wear your pearls. Have a wonderful day.

Kim said...

Happy Birthday to you! You look so cute and happy posing with your bday gifts and you definitely cleaned up in the gift department:D I have an award for you over on my site. The chocolate cheesecake looks to die for!! I mean insanely delicious.

teresa said...

happy happy birthday! what a fun gift idea, and that cheesecake looks divine! have a great day!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Carrie -- I don't know how I missed your post yesterday?!

The birthday cheesecake made my mouth water. :)

You did get some awesome gifts -- good for you -- well deserved!

Here's a birthday (((((HUG)))))

Lisa

Marge said...

Happy Birthday!! Will you share the cheesecake? It looks wonderful!

Natalie said...

happy birthday--a few days late! :) what wonderful gifts and such a yummy looking cheesecake! bookmarking this recipe for sure!

Barbara Bakes said...

Happy Birthday! That is a perfect cheesecake! Love the combination of chocolate and all those yummy fresh berries.

Spiele said...

Happy B-day I love your cake

Juliana said...

Happy Birthday Carrie! The chocolate cheesecake looks fabulous...what a nice way to celebrate your birthday :-)

Debbmarie said...

I view your blog frequently ... so of course I feel that I know you well enough to wish you a Happy Birthday. Your gifts were fantastic! Love the cookware ... ansd the butter will come in handy! Debbmarie

lvmysn said...

Carrie it looks like you had the perfect birrthday! What a great themed birthday gift! I love when there is a theme to the gift giving. When are you going to start cooking your way through the cookbook? LOL!