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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake for #SundaySupper

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake | Magnolia Days

Chocolate covered cherries have a special meaning to me. They were one of my dad’s favorite candies. He did not have them often and it was usually for the holidays. I could count on seeing a box of them when I visited my parents at Christmastime. I really do not care for those candies. It is one of the few chocolates I could do without. It is a whole different story with the flavors. The combination works so well and tastes so good. Add in cheese and cake and you get chocolate covered cherry cheesecake.

This cheesecake is heavenly from the bottom to the top. The crust is crushed Oreos (or rather the generic term of cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies). Four bricks of cream cheese go in this “little” 8-inch cheesecake. Chopped maraschino cherries are layered into the batter. It is finished with pouring warm chocolate ganache over the top and letting it spill down the sides. Need I say more? Heavenly indeed. It may be a smidgen decadent too. Just a smidgen.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake | Magnolia Days

I made the cheesecake for my mom and sister-in-law. We were celebrating their birthdays and I wanted a special dessert. I know my mom loves the Chocolate Pecan Torte but something different was in order. I went with a dessert that combined my mom’s love of chocolate and cherries with my sister-in-laws love of cheesecake. The birthday party started with some appetizers and then lasagna using my homemade tomato sauce. I also had cupcakes for my niece and nephews. It was a fantastic family Sunday Supper at my home.

Cheese, cake, and cheesecake is today’s Sunday Supper event. What is interesting is the meal I made for the birthday celebration had all three; lasagna (lots of cheese in there), cupcakes (little cakes), and chocolate covered cherry cheesecake. It wasn’t my intention to do that, it just happened. It must have been in my subconscious. I wonder what meals will happen after I check out all the recipes being shared for the event:

Cheese —

Cakes —

& Cheesecakes

What incredible cheese, cake, and cheesecake recipes! The Sunday Supper bloggers always inspire me. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to reading their posts and seeing what they have to share each week. How about you? Have you been inspired to cook something you found via Sunday Supper? If so, what was it? I’d love to know.

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake | Magnolia Days
3.84 from 6 votes
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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake

A recipe for chocolate covered cherry cheesecake. A rich and creamy cheesecake with maraschino cherries, chocolate cookie crust, and covered with ganache.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Author Renee

Ingredients

For the cheesecake:

  • 10 cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies 1 cup, finely crushed
  • 32 ounces cream cheese not whipped, at room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries coarsely chopped

For the ganache:

  • 6 ounces heavy cream
  • 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped

Instructions

For the cheesecake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. In an 8-inch springform pan, press the cookie crumbs evenly on the bottom. Spray the sides above the crust with a non-stick cooking spray. Set pan aside. Dry chopped cherries between paper towels and set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat cream cheese on medium speed until almost smooth. Scrape down bowl and beater. Gradually add sugar, beating until smooth. Add vanilla and beat to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, until just blended.
  4. Pour 1/3 of the batter over the crust. Carefully smooth out over the crust. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cherries over the batter. Repeat layers once and top with remaining 1/3 of the batter.
  5. Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Run a thin-bladed knife carefully around the edges to release cake from the side of the pan. Cool cake completely in the pan on a rack. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  6. Remove the top (side) of the springform pan. If the cake is not even on the top you can slice it to get it more even and level. Place the cake on a rack over parchment paper.

For the ganache:

  1. Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. In a small sauce pan, heat the heavy cream until steaming or barely to a simmer. Pour the heated cream over the chocolate and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Let cool for a few minutes to slightly thicken. Pour and spread chocolate over cheesecake letting some drip down the sides. Return cake the the refrigerator until ganache sets, about 1/2 hour.
  2. Garnish with maraschino cherries and/or whipped cream if desired. Serve chilled. Refrigerate leftovers covered or in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

Recipe Notes

A recipe for chocolate covered cherry cheesecake. A rich and creamy cheesecake with maraschino cherries, chocolate cookie crust, and covered with ganache.

Recipe adapted from one on the Woman’s Day magazine website. I originally clipped it from the February 1995 magazine edition and have had it in my recipe book since then.

Recipe Rating




Melissa

Wednesday 5th of June 2019

My Husband requested a chocolate covered cherry cheesecake for his birthday and I was thrilled when I found this one. It was super easy to make, not to sweet like some cheesecakes can be and I added chocolate covered cherries all around the edge of the cake for additional yumminess!!

Faye

Friday 22nd of March 2013

I love this cheesecake recipe.

Lane @ Supper for a Steal

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

This looks to die for! I remember my grandpa always eating those chocolate covered cherries. I was never a huge fan. But seriously I think I would gobble this up in seconds

Renee

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

Thanks Lane! It is completely different from the candies. So very much better to me.

Angie @ Big Bear's Wife

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

mmm yum!! I love chocolate covered cherries! I adore them at Christmas time! I know I would LOVE this cake!

Renee

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

What is it about chocolate covered cherries and Christmas? They seem to be linked in some way. It must be from it being a special item or gift during the season years ago.

Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

Renee!!!!! Oh my goodness this looks so good!!! What a perfect dessert for a fantastic family Sunday Supper you had!

Renee

Wednesday 6th of March 2013

Thanks Alice!