Ingredients:For
the crust:
1 9-oz. box chocolate wafer cookies
6 oz. bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
7 tbsp. hot melted unsalted butter
For the ganache:
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
20 oz. bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup Kahlúa or other coffee-flavored liqueur
For the filling:
4 8-oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
2 tbsp. dark rum
2 tbsp. instant espresso powder or coffee crystals
2 tbsp. ground whole espresso coffee beans (medium-coarse grind)
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. mild-flavored (light) molasses
4 large eggs
For the topping:
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Espresso coffee beans (optional) |
Cappuccino Fudge Cheesecake

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Method:
For crust, finely grind cookies, chopped chocolate, brown sugar,
and nutmeg in processor. Add butter and process until crumbs begin to stick together,
scraping down bowl occasionally, about 1 minute.
- Transfer crumbs to 10-inch-diameter spring-form pan with 3-inch-high sides. Wrap plastic
wrap around fingers and press crumb mixture firmly up sides to within 1/2 inch of top
edge, then over bottom of pan.
- For ganache, bring whipping cream to simmer in large saucepan. Remove from heat; add
chocolate and Kahlúa. Whisk until chocolate is melted and ganache is smooth. Pour 2 cups
ganache over bottom of crust. Freeze until ganache layer is firm, about 30 minutes.
Reserve remaining ganache; cover and let stand at room temperature to use later for
creating lattice pattern.
- For filling, position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350° F.
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until blended. Beat in
flour. Stir rum, espresso powder, ground coffee, vanilla, and molasses in small bowl until
instant coffee dissolves; beat into cream cheese mixture. Beat in eggs 1 at a time,
occasionally scraping down sides of bowl.
- Pour filling over cold ganache in crust. Place cheesecake on rimmed baking sheet. Bake
until top is brown, puffed and cracked at edges, and center 2 inches moves only slightly
when pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Transfer cheesecake to rack. Cool for
15 minutes while preparing topping (top of cheesecake will fall slightly). Maintain oven
temperature.
- For topping, whisk sour cream, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl to blend. Pour topping
over hot cheesecake, spreading to cover filling completely. Bake until topping is set,
about 10 minutes. Transfer cheesecake to rack. Refrigerate hot cheesecake on rack until
cool, about 3 hours.
- Run small sharp knife between crust and pan sides to loosen cake; release pan sides.
Transfer cheesecake to platter. Spoon reserved ganache into pastry bag fitted with small
star tip. Pipe 6 diagonal lines on top of cheesecake, spacing 1 inch apart. Repeat in
opposite direction, making lattice. Pipe rosettes of ganache around top edge of cake.
- Garnish with coffee beans, if desired. Chill until lattice is firm, at least 6 hours.
(Can be made 4 days ahead. Wrap loosely in foil, forming dome over lattice; keep chilled.)
Makes 12 servings
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