Dark Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake

Submitted by Elisabetta47

"This is very similar to recipe #414264, but I've altered the ingredients somewhat and include how to make the fun chocolate leaves to put on top. It's a snap to pull together with your mixer and doubles beautifully so you can gift one or freeze one for the future. I don't remember the recipe's providence, but EVERYONE, short of small children, loves this divine dessert."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 40mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 1 cheesecake
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups chocolate cookies, finely crushed
• 1⁄3 cup butter, softened
• 1⁄2 tablespoon sugar

• FILLING

• 2 1⁄2 ounces dark chocolate, 80 g (70% cocoa if possible)
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (about 500 g)
• 4 eggs, room temp
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee (decaf works fine)
• 2 -3 tablespoons powdered sugar

• CHOCOLATE LEAVES

• 1 ounce dark chocolate

directions

1. Butter sides & bottom of an 8" springform pan.
2. Combine cookie crumbs, butter & sugar in mixer.
3. Press mixture evenly onto pan bottom.
4. Melt chocolate in double-boiler & stir smooth.
5. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add eggs, one at a time.
6. Gradually add sugar, mixing well until blended.
7. Add melted chocolate, coffee & stir to blend.
8. Turn mixture into prepared pan.
9. Bake at 350° (180°C) for 1 hour or until center is almost set. Firms when chilled.
10. Cool on counter for 45 min., cover & chill overnight.
11. Remove pan sides. Sprinkle with powdered sugar from a sieve to prettify and decorate with chocolate leaves (see below.).

12. CHOCOLATE LEAVES:

13. Melt chocolate in double-boiler.
14. Brush on cleaned & dried fresh leaves (Ficus work well).
15. Place on small, paper-lined pan & freeze overnight.
16. Peel leaves & put back in the freezer until time to place on cake & serve.
17. HINT: leave stem on each leaf to hold onto as you brush on the melted chocolate. Be generous with the chocolate - too thin a layer and the leaf crumbles when you try to peel it. Pile them artfully in center or however you want and they just take the cake!