It was my brother’s birthday a couple of weeks ago. He was coming over for dinner and I wanted to make a fun (and delicious) dessert that I hadn’t made before. My brother is pretty easy to please when it comes to food. Not saying that he isn’t picky, he’s just grateful and that makes me want to cook for him anytime.
He asked for chocolate chip cookies for his birthday present. Easy enough. So we made him some Wicked Chocolate Chip Cookies (which were wickedly good!) So I wanted to make a “fancier” dessert for the occasion. This is what we chose – German Chocolate Cheesecake.
It was amazingly delicious! The cheesecake and cake combination (along with the frosting) was pure heaven.
Make sure you read the directions through so you don’t have any surprises. There are a lot of steps but it is so worth it.
German Chocolate Cheesecake
Source: Adapted from Willow Bird Baking
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 package of Oreos, crushed
- 6 Tbsp. butter, melted
Ganache Layer Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
Cheesecake Ingredients
- 3 packages (8 ounces each) of cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp. vanilla
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 3 ounces (or about 6 Tbsp.) semi sweet chocolate chips
Cake Ingredients
- I used a chocolate cake mix
- ingredients on the box
Frosting Ingredients
- 1-2 tubs of Coconut Pecan frosting
Directions
Make the crust layer
Crush the Oreos in a food processor. Add melted butter to Oreo crumbs and mix. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan. (Cuisinart 9-Inch Nonstick Springform Pan)
Make sure you go up the sides of the pan to the top.
Make sure you go up the sides of the pan to the top.
Make the ganache
Heat the heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for another 30 seconds and stir. You want the cream to be hot (but make sure you don’t bring it to a full boil.) Place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Pour cream over chocolate chip and whisk until smooth and creamy.
Make the cake layer
Mix the cake according to the directions on the box. Bake in two 9 inch round pans. You will only use one of the cakes but freeze the other one for future use (or gobble it up warm.) Cool on a wire rack.
Make the cheesecake layer
In a stand mixer, mix cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs.
In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second bursts. Stir after each one. When completely melted and smooth, set aside to cool. Add melted chocolate to cheesecake filling and stir until combined.
Assembly
Pour ganache over the crust layer. Spread out and place in the freezer for 30 minutes until ganache is form.
Pour cheesecake filling over the ganache layer. Spread out evenly. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55 minutes or until almost firm. The center might crack but that’s okay. You’ll be covering it up with deliciousness =o) Let cool.
Spread a thin layer of Coconut Pecan frosting over the top of the cheesecake.
Place cake on top of frosting layer.
Mine was super tall at this point. I’m not sure if I did something wrong or not (because it was way taller than the recipe I was following.)
Spread frosting on top of cake layer. I frosted the sides of the cake too since they were showing.
Chill for 3 hours or overnight.
When completely chilled, loosen the sides of the springform pan and remove the sides.
I have to say that this was one of the best desserts I have ever made. It was amazing. I think it was the combination of all of my favorite things. Totally worth the effort! I mean, look at that!
Enjoy!
I’m linking to the parties on my sidebar.
German chocolate cake is my favorite and adding a cheesecake layer surely puts it over the top. I bet John loved it.
Mmm, that looks so good. My husband loves cheesecake and doesn’t like cake, but DOES like German chocolate cake. I’ll have to see what he thinks of this.
Holy cow! This is amazing!
That is amazing!! Oh how I want some right now!!
oooh-yum! this looks so tasty!! i’m stopping by from friday food frenzy and now i’m off to pin this!
ang
this is so yummy my son loves german chocolate cake my son in law loves cheesecake tie them together they would both be delighted
come see what I shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Wow, this looks amazing! My dad loves German Chocolate Cake, and he likes cheesecake…so I think I know what I’m making for his next birthday!
What a great recipe! Have a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Looks delicious! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
German Chocolate Cake is my FAVORITE! Then you go and throw cheesecake in the mix?!? You might just be my hero!! We’d love for you to link this up at our party! http://www.housewivesofriverton.com/2013/02/riverton-housewives-round-up-54.html