Monday, January 4, 2016

Godiva's Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake


Each year when Christmas is over, I start gearing up for New Year's. Three of my college roommates come to my house for a weekend-long house party. We catch up on each other's lives, celebrate the good things, and commiserate about the not-so-good. It's a late nights-wine-eating-movies-talking-pajama-clad affair.

I always try to make a showstopper dessert for New Year's Eve. This year, one of my guests suggested Godiva's Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake. The great news is that it's super easy to make. This cake is a decadent chocaholic delight. It's dense and powerfully chocolate.

In the recipe, they say that the top will crack around the edges. If that bothers you, try a different cake or you could try baking it in a water bath. I just piped whipped cream on it to hide the cracks. No one else even noticed. I used Annie's Chocolate Graham Cracker Bunnies for the crust and they worked very well.

This recipe calls for 4 large bars of Godiva's 72% dark chocolate. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it anywhere. Shhh. Please don't tell Godiva, but I dared to make this cake with Lindt 70% dark chocolate bars. Look for the large 3.5 ounce size.

Please note that you have to make this cheesecake a day ahead of time for it to settle.


Godiva's Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake

1 ¼ cups chocolate cookie crumbs
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup hot coffee mixed with ¼ cup very hot water
¼ teaspoon salt
14 ounces (4 bars) GODIVA Large 72% Dark Chocolate Bars, divided
16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325. Mix the cookie crumbs with the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of sugar and press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Break up the chocolate bars while still in the wrappers. You can feel the chocolate breaking. But save 1/2 of one bar intact for decorating the top if you wish. Microwave the chocolate in 30 second bursts, stirring in between until melted. Set aside to cool for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the coffee with the salt and hot water. Beat the cream cheese about 2 minutes. Gradually add the cup of sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. On a slow speed, beat in the coffee mixture. Pour in the chocolate gradually while beating on  slow speed. Pour into the pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the center is set but slightly wobbly. Cool on a rack completely before refrigerating.

1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
fresh berries (optional)

Beat heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar until stuff peaks form. Spread or pipe the cream on the top of the cake. Garnish with fresh berries and/or remaining chocolate. When taking cheesecake out of the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.

Oops! No Godiva!

Break up the chocolate.

So smooth. Liquid gold, er, chocolate.

Beat the cream cheese.

Pour in the pan.

YUM!
Happy New Year!

18 comments:

  1. Oh my!!!! This looks yummy enough to die for! Thanks for providing such a decadent recipe right when I thought I should start the post-holiday diet...lol :)

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    1. LOL, Kim! I'm ready to eat veggies, too. But I thought I'd share one more decadent cake!

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  2. Oh I'm with Kim. Would it be bad to say this looks like the perfect time for breakfast this morning? Thanks for this delicious recipe.

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    1. Mason, there *is* a little bit left over. Wish I could cyber-send it to you for breakfast!

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  3. Yum. I think I want to wallow in it. But those poor bunnies!

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    1. I hang my head in shame for chopping up the bunnies. Even if they were made out of graham crackers. ; ) They would be a darling decoration on a child's cake!

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  4. Keep 1/2 of a bar for decoration? No way! Into the mix it goes! The more chocolate, the better.

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    1. I recognize a hardcore chocoholic in you, Libby! ; )

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  5. Must try :D

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  6. Love that you used Annie's Bunnies for the crust! And I quite admire your piping skills -- I have none!

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    1. That's kind of you, Leslie, but my piping skills are limited. I would love to take a cake decorating class. Someday!

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  7. Oh, wow, wish I'd been one of your roommates. Sounds like a blast!

    ~ Daryl /Avery

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  8. OMG. That's all I've got....OMG. :-) However, I will add that I'll probably add the fresh berries to the top and serve this for Valentine's Day (I usually make a chocolate dessert for my guys). Happy New Year! :-)

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  9. I think its time to invest in a springform pan.

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  10. I love chocolate cheesecake, and this one looks amazing! Yum

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