Cozy Black Forest Cheesecake

Category: Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving

Chocolate cheesecake with cherries and cream. Preps in 30 mins, bakes and chills after. Makes 12 slices, great for celebrations.
Barbara Chef
Updated on Sun, 04 May 2025 11:55:23 GMT
Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Delight Highlight
Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Delight | cookwithcarla.com

The perfect marriage between smooth cheesecake and traditional Black Forest flavors makes this dessert truly unforgettable. Layers of dark chocolate, tangy cream cheese, and plump cherries come together to form a treat that turns ordinary gatherings into special events. Every bite offers a wonderful mix of rich chocolatey goodness, zesty cream cheese, and sweet-sour cherries that'll make your taste buds dance.

I stumbled across this treat several years back while planning a birthday party. Everyone went crazy for how the chocolate and tart cherries played off the creamy cheesecake. They all wanted more! Now whenever there's a big celebration, folks expect me to bring this showstopper.

Key Ingredients

  • Cream cheese: The star of the show; grab full-fat and let it sit out until soft for the creamiest results
  • Chocolate sandwich cookies: They make an amazing dark crust; don't cheap out here - good brands taste better
  • Heavy cream: Brings that can't-resist richness; make sure it's cold and fresh
  • Cherry topping: Adds that wow factor; go for good quality pie filling or fresh cherries in summer
  • Dark chocolate: Used for the finishing touch needs to be fancy stuff for the best look and taste

Making Your Masterpiece

Base Building:
Smash those cookies, mix with melted butter, and press down hard to get a solid foundation.
Getting Creamy:
Whip that cream cheese till it's super smooth before you add anything else.
Easy Does It:
Drop in eggs one by one, making sure everything blends perfectly.
Smart Baking:
Set up a water bath so everything cooks evenly and doesn't crack.
Taking Time:
Let it cool slowly in the oven before chilling it completely.
Final Touch:
Spread cherries and sprinkle chocolate bits right before you serve it.
Decadent Black Forest Cheesecake Highlight
Decadent Black Forest Cheesecake | cookwithcarla.com

Through many attempts at getting this just right, I've learned that taking your time really makes all the difference. I'll never forget watching my mother-in-law (who's an amazing baker) take her first bite. She closed her eyes and just smiled. That's when I knew all the care I put into each step had paid off.

Stunning Serving Ideas

Make your cheesecake look extra fancy by placing cherries in circles and sprinkling chocolate curls around the edges. For birthday parties or holidays, add little swirls of whipped cream between the cherries and dust lightly with cocoa. A few small mint leaves will add a pop of green that looks amazing against the red and chocolate.

Twist It Your Way

Change things up by swapping cherries for raspberries or blackberries. Try a white chocolate version by mixing melted white chocolate into your filling and topping it with dark cherry sauce. Got guests who can't have gluten? Just use gluten-free cookies for the crust and nobody will miss out on any of the amazing flavors.

Keeping It Fresh

Your cheesecake will stay yummy in the fridge for about five days if you keep it covered. Want to make it way ahead? Freeze it without the toppings for up to two months - just wrap it really well in plastic wrap and foil. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and add fresh toppings before you bring it to the table.

This Black Forest Cheesecake has grown into something more than just dessert in my home - it's become part of our family traditions. The way it brings together two favorite treats into something even better reminds me that sometimes mixing different things creates pure magic.

Close-up Decadent Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe Highlight
Close-up Decadent Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe | cookwithcarla.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Why does my cheesecake crack?
Overmixed batter, sudden cooling, or overbaking can cause cracks. Let ingredients warm up and cool gradually after baking.
→ Can I bake without the water bath?
Not ideal—it ensures even baking and prevents cracking. Wrap the pan securely in foil to stop water from leaking in.
→ Can I leave out the alcohol?
Sure, either skip it or swap in almond extract for similar taste.
→ How can I tell it’s ready?
It’s done when the edges are firm, but the middle still wiggles slightly—cools to perfection.
→ Can it be frozen?
Yes, freeze without toppings for 2 months. Add cherries and cream only after thawing.

Black Forest Cheesecake

Creamy and chocolatey dessert bursting with cherries and cream—classic Black Forest vibes, made easy.

Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
70 min
Total Time
100 min

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Hard

Cuisine: German twist

Yield: 12 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Chocolate Base

01 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
02 1 and a half cups crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos or graham crackers work great)

→ Creamy Filling

03 3 large eggs, brought to room temperature
04 24 ounces of softened cream cheese
05 1 teaspoon of vanilla
06 8 ounces of melted semisweet chocolate, let cool a bit
07 1/4 cup cocoa powder
08 1 cup regular sugar
09 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

→ Cherry Layer

10 21 ounces of canned cherry pie filling
11 Optional: 1 tablespoon of Kirsch or 1 teaspoon almond flavoring

→ Whipped Cream & Extras

12 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
13 A full cup of cold heavy cream
14 Half a teaspoon of vanilla flavor
15 Optional: Fresh cherries and chocolate curls for decoration

Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Combine the cookie crumbs with the melted butter, press evenly into a greased 9-inch springform pan, and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 02

Beat the cream cheese with sugar until it’s smooth, then add cocoa powder. Crack in the eggs one by one, mixing between each. Stir in melted chocolate, vanilla, and cream just until blended, and pour the mixture onto your crust.

Step 03

Place the pan into a water bath and bake for about an hour or until the middle is still a bit wobbly, but the edges are firm. Let it cool slowly in the oven with the door slightly open for another hour.

Step 04

Once it’s nicely chilled, combine the pie filling with Kirsch (if you’re using it) and spread it over the top. Whip the cream with vanilla and powdered sugar, then pipe it around the edges.

Step 05

For a classy touch, add those chocolate curls and fresh cherries if you want. Keep in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Notes

  1. Let your ingredients sit at room temperature before starting; this helps your cheesecake stay smooth and crack-free.
  2. You can prepare this up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate, or freeze it for up to 8 weeks.

Required Equipment

  • 9-inch springform pan
  • Large pan for holding water (water bath)
  • Mixer, hand or stand
  • Foil to wrap the pan

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Has dairy (cream cheese, heavy cream)
  • Has eggs
  • Includes wheat (from the cookie crumbs)

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 485
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Carbs: 42 g
  • Protein: 8 g