Luscious Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake Recipe

Rich dark chocolate has a magical way of turning ordinary desserts into extraordinary indulgences.

Blackberries add a burst of vibrant color and tangy sweetness to this creamy cheesecake.

My kitchen always feels like a playground when experimenting with decadent recipes like this one.

Silky smooth textures mingle with intense cocoa notes, creating an unforgettable dessert experience.

Seasonal blackberries bring a delightful freshness that cuts through the intense chocolate flavor.

Layers of complexity make this cheesecake a conversation starter at any gathering.

Bakers and chocolate enthusiasts will find pure joy in every single bite of this stunning creation.

Prepare to impress with a dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.

Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake with Rich Layers

• A Chocolate Lover's Dream
• This dark chocolate blackberry cheesecake transforms an ordinary dessert into a gourmet masterpiece with rich, luxurious flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Despite its sophisticated appearance, the recipe is surprisingly beginner-friendly, requiring basic baking skills and common ingredients that create an extraordinary result.
• Whether celebrating a milestone or craving a weekend treat, this cheesecake delivers restaurant-quality elegance right in your own kitchen, making any occasion feel extra special.
• The versatile recipe allows simple modifications like adjusting chocolate intensity or experimenting with different berry sauces, ensuring your personal touch shines through.

Ingredients to Build Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs, Sugar: Classic foundation for a creamy cheesecake, provides a sweet and crunchy bottom layer. Use fresh, crisp graham crackers for best texture.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust ingredients together and adds rich flavor. Unsalted butter works best for controlled sweetness.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base that creates the signature cheesecake texture. Full-fat cream cheese ensures maximum richness and creaminess.
• Sugar: Balances the tanginess of cream cheese and adds sweetness. Granulated white sugar provides the best consistent sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the cheesecake flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the most authentic taste.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help the cheesecake set properly. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and subtle tanginess to the filling. Full-fat sour cream creates the most luxurious texture.
• Dark Chocolate: Provides rich, intense chocolate flavor and creates beautiful marbling. Choose high-quality chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.

• Blackberries, Sugar, Lemon Juice: Creates a vibrant, fresh sauce that complements the chocolate cheesecake. Fresh, ripe blackberries provide the best flavor and color.

Follow These Steps to Make Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake

Step 1: Craft the Chocolatey Crust

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted butter

Mix cracker crumbs and sugar in a bowl. Pour melted butter and stir until the mixture feels slightly damp. Press the mixture firmly into a greased springform pan, ensuring an even layer. Bake in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes. Let the crust cool completely while preparing the filling.

Step 2: Whip the Creamy Filling

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• Melted dark chocolate

Beat cream cheese until smooth and silky. Add sugar and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. Incorporate eggs one by one, blending well after each addition. Gently fold in sour cream. Carefully mix in slightly cooled melted dark chocolate until the batter looks uniform. Pour the filling over the cooled crust, spreading evenly.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Place the cheesecake in the oven at 325°F. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the center looks set but slightly jiggly. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake rest inside for one hour. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 4: Create Vibrant Blackberry Sauce

• Blackberries
• Sugar
• Lemon juice

In a saucepan, mix blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until berries break down and sauce thickens (10-15 minutes). Strain to remove seeds if desired. Allow sauce to cool completely.

Step 5: Serve and Indulge

Remove cheesecake from springform pan by running a knife around the edge. Drizzle cooled blackberry sauce over the top. Optionally garnish with fresh blackberries and sprinkle grated dark chocolate. Slice and enjoy this decadent dessert that blends rich chocolate with tangy berries.

Key Tips to Balance Bitterness and Sweetness in This Cheesecake

• Smooth Out Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat until completely smooth to prevent lumps in your cheesecake.
• Control Chocolate Melting: Cool melted dark chocolate slightly before adding to the batter to prevent curdling and maintain a silky texture.
• Prevent Cracking Technique: Bake cheesecake in a water bath or use the slow cooling method to minimize surface cracks and create a creamy consistency.
• Master the Wobble Test: Look for a slightly jiggly center when removing from the oven, as the cheesecake will continue setting during cooling and chilling.
• Strain for Sauce Perfection: Remove blackberry seeds by straining the sauce for a smoother, more sophisticated topping that complements the rich chocolate flavor.

How to Store and Reheat Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake Properly

• Store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Slice cheesecake into individual portions, wrap securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezes perfectly for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Avoid overheating to prevent texture changes. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before enjoying for best flavor.
• Top reheated slices with fresh blackberry sauce or additional fresh berries to restore moisture and enhance the original taste.

Fruits and Sauces That Work with Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake

• Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complements the rich dark chocolate and creamy cheesecake, balancing the dessert's intense flavors with its tannic structure.
• Choose a sweet Portuguese Port wine, particularly a ruby or tawny style, which provides a luxurious companion to the dark chocolate and blackberry notes, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Serve a freshly brewed espresso alongside the cheesecake, as its strong, bold coffee notes will cut through the richness of the chocolate and provide a sophisticated contrast to the sweet blackberry sauce.
• Add a small glass of berry-based liqueur like Chambord, which will echo the blackberry sauce and enhance the fruity undertones while providing a smooth, elegant finishing touch to the dessert.

Creative Cheesecake Variations Using Dark Chocolate and Blackberry

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Berry Cheesecake: Replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to create a celiac-friendly crust that maintains the rich flavor profile.
• Vegan Chocolate Blackberry Delight: Swap cream cheese with cashew-based cream cheese, use coconut cream instead of eggs, and employ dark chocolate made from plant-based ingredients for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Berry Treat: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free dark chocolate, and create a lighter blackberry sauce using natural fruit sweetness and minimal added sugar.
• Keto-Friendly Chocolate Cheesecake: Use an almond flour and butter crust, replace sugar with erythritol, incorporate full-fat cream cheese, and choose a high-percentage dark chocolate with minimal carbohydrates to align with ketogenic dietary requirements.

Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Dark chocolate blackberry cheesecake whispers pure indulgence through layers of rich, creamy delight. Silky ganache and fresh berries create a luxurious dessert that promises pure bliss with each heavenly bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened
• 8 ounces (225 g) dark chocolate (70-85%), melted and cooled slightly
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180 g) chocolate cookie crumbs (like Oreos, crushed with filling removed)
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted

Sauce and Complementary Ingredients:

• 2 cups (300 g) fresh or frozen blackberries
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Garnish (optional):

• Fresh blackberries
• Dark chocolate shavings
• Whipped cream

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Instructions

1. Craft a crumbly foundation by blending graham cracker fragments with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into a greased springform pan, creating an even base. Briefly toast the crust in a preheated oven at 325F (160C) for approximately 10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely.
2. Whip cream cheese until luxuriously smooth and creamy using an electric mixer. Gradually incorporate sugar and vanilla, ensuring a uniform consistency. Introduce eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to prevent lumping. Gently fold in sour cream, creating a silky batter.
3. Melt dark chocolate carefully, allowing it to cool slightly to prevent thermal shock. Swirl the chocolate into the cream cheese mixture, creating elegant marbled patterns. Transfer the velvety filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
4. Position the cheesecake in the oven and bake at 325F (160C) for 50-60 minutes. Look for a center that trembles slightly when gently nudged, indicating perfect doneness. Switch off the oven, leave the door ajar, and allow the cheesecake to gradually cool for one hour.
5. Develop a vibrant blackberry sauce by simmering fresh berries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Cook until the fruits break down and the mixture thickens, approximately 10-15 minutes. Strain to remove seeds if a smoother texture is desired, then let the sauce cool completely.
6. Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to achieve optimal firmness. Before serving, carefully release the springform pan’s sides and artfully drizzle the blackberry sauce across the surface.
7. Enhance the presentation by garnishing with fresh blackberries and delicate shavings of dark chocolate. Slice with a warm knife for clean, precise servings that showcase the dessert’s elegant layers and rich flavors.

Notes

• Select high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for a rich, intense flavor that complements the creamy cheesecake.
• Bring cream cheese and eggs to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free batter and even incorporation of ingredients.
• Use a water bath technique by placing the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to prevent cracking and create a silky, even texture.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool gradually in the oven to minimize surface cracks and maintain a creamy, dense consistency.
• For a gluten-free version, replace graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
• Enhance the blackberry sauce by adding a splash of vanilla or a hint of cinnamon for depth of flavor.
• Make ahead and freeze the cheesecake for up to 2 weeks, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for convenient entertaining.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg