Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Cherries and Dark Chocolate Sauce

Cheesecake.

• • 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

  • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin

  • 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 pound cream cheese, room temperature

Cherries.

• • 1 pound fresh or frozen and thawed pitted sweet cherries

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Chocolate Syrup.

• • 3/4 cup water

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon dark corn syrup

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, (preferably "special dark")

  • 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional)

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cold

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Note, all components should be prepared the evening before, so they can chill overnight before serving.

Crust.

Preheat the oven to 325. In a bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers and salt. Drizzle with the melted butter and toss with a fork until moistened. Press against the bottom of an 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 12 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant; set aside to cool completely.

Filling.

Pour 1/4 cup cream into a microwave-safe dish. Add the gelatin and whisk with a fork to combine. Let stand for 5 minutes; it will be thick and clumpy. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to completely dissolve the gelatin. Set aside.

In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the remaining 1 1/4 cups cream with the vanilla bean seeds at medium-high speed until soft peaks form, gradually adding the powdered sugar as the cream thickens. Add the cream cheese and gelatin mixture and beat until smooth and thick with no lumps, about 2-3 minutes. Immediately spread over the cooled crust, smooth out the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or overnight.

Cherries.

In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water and spices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Once the mixture boils, stir constantly, cooking for a minute or two longer until thickened. Chill completely in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Syrup.

In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar and corn syrup; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the cocoa powder, espresso powder and salt, whisking until smooth. Simmer on low until the syrup has thickened enough to coat a spoon, about 3-5 minutes (it will also thicken more as it cools).

Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate.

Serving.

Run a sharp knife around the sides of the cheesecake, and carefully remove the sides of the pan. Just before serving, spoon the cherries over the cheesecake, or serve on the side. Serve the chocolate on the side.

Yields 8-12 servings

Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen