Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Strawberries

Rich and decadent with a refreshing and bright berry flavor, our Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Strawberries is the perfect way to add a little romance to the end of any meal.  

We love this dessert because it’s surprisingly simple without sacrificing complex character. It’s also versatile. The strawberries and cool, velvety texture are great for a warm spring afternoon or balmy summer night, while the richness allows it to stand up to hearty winter meals, too.  

It’s an easy-to-make dessert that feels luxurious and is sure to leave your guests on a high note as the night comes to an end. 

What You’ll Need 

For the Shell: 

For the Chocolate Filling: 

For the Macerated Strawberries: 

For the Chocolate Ganache: 

How to Prepare  

1. Start with the shell. Butter the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Place the wafers or biscuits, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse until they become a fine meal. Add melted butter and pulse a few more times to incorporate all the ingredients. Press into the bottom of the pan. Chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
2. While the shell is chilling, heat your oven to 325°F and make the chocolate filling. Place melted dark chocolate, cream cheese, cream, cocoa, eggs, vanilla, and sugar in a food processor. Blend until all ingredients are well incorporated; this should take about 1 minute.
3. Once the shell has chilled, remove it from the freezer and place parchment paper around the inner sides of the springform pan. Pour in the chocolate mixture and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the filling is set in the center.
4. Let it cool completely on the counter for 30 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours, or overnight.
5. Next, make the macerated strawberries. In a small glass bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, zest, and red wine. Cover and let this sit for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight with the shell). Once it’s rested, strain the wine from the berries and pour it into a small saucepan with the orange juice. Let it simmer until it’s thickened into a syrup. Taste and add more sugar if the sweetness needs to be increased. Let the syrup cool.
6. Finally, it’s time to make the chocolate ganache. Place the cream in a small saucepan and heat to a simmer. Put the chocolate chips in a small heat-proof bowl and pour in the hot cream. Cover with a plate and let sit for around 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then whisk the mixture until the texture becomes smooth.
7. Unmold the cheesecake from the pan and use an offset spatula to slide it onto a serving platter or cake stand. Pour the ganache over the cheesecake and smooth it out with a spatula. Let the ganache firm, then spoon strawberries on top and drizzle with sauce. 

Your Dark Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake is ready to serve! 

A Pairing We Love 

Enjoy with a glass of our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The sweet, red berry fruits and plush black cherry and blackberry flavors are an exceptional fit for the cheesecake’s dark chocolate and sweetness of the strawberries. It’s a luxurious duo, perfect for the end of a meal with friends.