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.
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 --
- Garlic and Goat by Supper for a Steal
- Quick and Easy Homemade Cottage Cheese by The Meltaways
- Homemade Velveeta Cheese by Juanitas Cocina
- Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Parmesan Crisps by BigBearsWife
- Irish Cheese Soufflés by girlichef
- Paneer Tikka Masala by Kimchi Mom
- Creamy Meyer Lemon Pasta with Homemade Ricotta and Broccoli by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Ricotta Croquettes by Basic N Delicious
- Cheeseburger Soup by Dinners Dishes and Desserts
- Cherry Blossom Crescents by The Ninja Baker
- Saag Paneer! Golden Roasted Ricotta In Savory Spinach Sauce by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Sourdough Cheese Crackers by Curious Cuisiniere
- Basil Balsamic Strawberries & Whipped Feta Grilled Cheese by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Lox and Cream Cheese Mini Omelettes by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Buffalo Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken by In The Kitchen With KP
- Baked Mozzarella Sticks by Mama's Blissful Bites
- Paneer Indian Cottage Cheese Pancake by Masala Herb
- Crepes with Strawberry Mascarpone Cream Filling by Soni's Food
- Roasted Pears with Pecorino by Happy Baking Days
- Pan-Fried Halloumi Cheese Salad by The Catholic Foodie
- Chevre Torte with Mango and Sweet Pepper Salsa by Noshing with the Nolands
Cakes --
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Hezzi D's Books & Cooks
- Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Cake by Gourmet Drizzles
- Dairyfree Ice Cream Cake by Galactosemia in PDX
- KitKat Chocolate Cake by The Urban Mrs.
- Old Fashioned Caramel Cake by There and Back Again
- Peanut Butter Banana Bundt Cake with Chocolate Chips by Gotta Get Baked
- Flourless Chocolate Bean Cake by Vintage Kitchen
- Dense Chocolate Cherry Cake by What Smells So Good?
- Tequila Lime Cupcakes by Mama Mommy Mom
- Almond Polenta Cake by Shockingly Delicious
- Salmon Cakes by Family Foodie
- Banana Split Bundt Cake with Chocolate Glaze by NeighborFood
& Cheesecakes
- Kit Kat Cheesecake Brownies by Chocolate Moosey
- Reese's Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake by Daily Dish Recipes
- Nutella Cheesecake Brownies by The Foodie Army Wife
- Individual Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecakes by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Grasshopper Cheesecake Bars by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake by Magnolia Days
- Mini Toddler Cherry Cheesecakes by In the Kitchen with Audrey and Maurene
- Mocha Cheesecake by The Lovely Pantry
- Lime Cheesecake Bites by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- No-Bake Banana Sundae Cheesecake by The Messy Baker
- Mini Raspberry Cheesecakes with White Chocolate Crusts by Cupcakes and Pearls
- Savory Shrimp Cheesecake with Herbs and Garlic by Food Lust People Love
- Cheesecake au Baileys by Baker Street
- Tiny Turtle Cheesecakes (No Bake) by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Mini Cheesecakes by Cookistry
- Chocolate Cheesecake Bites by Mom, What's For Dinner?
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.
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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake
Ingredients
For the cheesecake:
- 10 cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies 1 cup, finely crushed
- 32 ounces cream cheese not whipped, at room temperature
- 1 ¼ 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:
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
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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.
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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.
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Pour ⅓ of the batter over the crust. Carefully smooth out over the crust. Sprinkle ½ of the cherries over the batter. Repeat layers once and top with remaining ⅓ of the batter.
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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.
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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:
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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 ½ hour.
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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.
This is just stunning, Renee! Beautiful from the inside to the outside!!!
Thank you Liz!
A non-decadent cheesecake is not worth it in my opinion. This is spectacular Renee! I really would love to share this one with you! Have a great day.
I wish I could share it with you too. Hopefully we will meet IRL soon.
What a great recipe! and photos... Definitely a twist on an old favorite!
Thanks Janet!
You had me at marachino cherries! This looks incredible, Renee! Beautiful cheesecake and such lovely photos. I am making this one for my next dinner party! 😉
Thanks Diana! I do love maraschino cherries. I'm thinking of making ice cream with them soon.
decadent!
Thanks Lindsey! It is decadent for sure. Tasty too. Worth every bit of decadence.
Chocolate covered cherries hold a special place in my heart, as well (my grandpa's fave)...I knew the minute I saw the sneak peek that I would be making this before long. It looks amazing, Renee.
Thank you Heather! I'm glad I could bring back some wonderful memories of your grandpa with the mention of chocolate covered cherries. How great it is that food ties us to the memories of family and friends.
Oh mah gaw. Just...oh mah gaw. Gorgeous Renee!
Awe, thank you Jen! You are so sweet.
This is just incredible. So beautiful. Even my 18 year old son was a bit in awe... SO so yummy and so SO beautiful!
Thanks Nicole. Such a nice compliment and so nice of you to say.
Love your cheesecake and it looks divine!!I love the creamy filling and the chocolate coating just takes it to another level!Gorgeous 🙂
Thanks Soni! I do love the chocolate top and bottom to this cheesecake. It's a nice frame for the creamy part.
Two pounds of cream cheese in an 8-inch cake? I am so impressed! My sister is the chocolate covered cherry fan in our family. Her birthday is two days after Christmas and I bought her a box every year when we were growing up. She would love your beautiful cake!
It does have a lot of cream cheese. A little slice goes a long way.
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm sooo loving the chocolate ganache! This cheesecake would certainly make a birthday extra special!
Thanks Lyn! The ganache turned out so shiny, I felt like a real chocolate maker/pro.
Such gorgeous pictures and what a special dessert! Love it!
Thanks Pam!
Renee, this is one amazing cake. Cherries, chocolate, and cheesecake are the perfect combination. I love cherries, and chocolate, and cheesecake...Yum!
Do you know Mon Cheri? Cherries in chocolate with a little extra? So good 🙂 and never available in the summer...
Thanks Bea! I do know Mon Cheri although I have to admit I don't care for them much. Same as with regular chocolate covered cherries candies.
Your cheesecake is mouth watering! I love it!!!
Thanks Jennifer!
What a beautiful cake!
Thank you Conni!
While I too am not a big fan of chocolate covered cherries this looks like a version I could love
Thanks Laura! It's so different than the candies and why I like it so much.
This sounds like it would be a great romantic Valentine's Day dessert! I am drooling over here! It looks so yummy!
Oh yes, it would be a great Valentine's Day dessert.
I can't get over how stunning this cheesecake is, Renee. From that perfectly thick, glossy ganache, to the rich, creamy, thick cheesecake and the delicious studs of cherry...I'm drooling! Really. Cherry and chocolate are so amazing together (although like you, i'm not a fan of those chocolate covered maraschino cherries either, unless we're talking about dried cherries, yum!). I bet your mum and sister-in-love went gaga over this.
Thank you so much Nancy for your very kind words about my cheesecake. My mom and sister-in-law enjoyed it very much. I sent slices home with them so they could have some later too.
Wow, that looks so good, I am going to have to try this one for sure!!
Thanks Tara!
The candies were my grandpa's fave too, What a wonderful tribute
Thank you Sarah! I'll always think of my dad when I see chocolate covered cherries.
Love chocolate covered cherries and cheesecake! I made a similar version to this once. Now I want to make it again (or rather, you make it and pass me a slice 😉 )
I'd love to make this cheesecake for you Carla. Maybe one day you can come and visit. We would have a great time baking together.
I absolutely love cherries and I adore cheesecake. I don't know how I've never combined these two together before. This cheesecake sounds wonderful! Absolutely lovely Renee!
Thanks Kate! Chocolate + cherries + cheesecake = a winner as far as I'm concerned.
Oh my gosh, this is absolutely stunning. You completely knocked it out of the park. I wish I could come over for a slice.
Thanks Kim! I wish you could come over for a slice too.
Renee you outdone yourself bravo!
Thanks Cindy, so sweet of you to say that.
Oooooh...cheesecake is my weakness and this one is over the top! I want....
Now if you were a little closer then I could share it with you.
This looks heavenly! I love the shiny ganache and then the contrast of the white cheesecake with cherries. Beautiful!
Thanks Sarah! I do like the pop of red from the cherries in the cheesecake. It makes it festive in a way.
This is an incredibly gorgeous cheesecake.
Thank you Brianne!
Oh my goodness, Renee. You do know how to celebrate! Anything dessert with Oreos, cheesecake and a heavy cream and chocolate ganache is an eye-catcher! And as always your photography makes the dessert look even more appealing =)
Thank you Kim!
Renee!!!!! Oh my goodness this looks so good!!! What a perfect dessert for a fantastic family Sunday Supper you had!
Thanks Alice!
mmm yum!! I love chocolate covered cherries! I adore them at Christmas time! I know I would LOVE this cake!
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.
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
Thanks Lane! It is completely different from the candies. So very much better to me.
I love this cheesecake recipe.
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!!