Ghirardelli Layered Chocolate Cheesecake With Ganache Glaze

Two layers of cheesecake, a mirror-like glazed topping, and a crunchy chocolate crust produce one show-stopping holiday dessert that's sure to wow holiday guests.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 640 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• cooking spray
• 5 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua®)
• 3 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies
• 3 pinches granulated sugar
• 4 ounces Ghirardelli® 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules
• 6 ounces Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips
• 0.75 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup salted butter, melted
• 1.75 cups granulated sugar
• Seasonal fruit for garnish, such as sugared cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together cookie crumbs, butter, and sugar in a medium bowl until well blended. Press mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.

Step 2

Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes. Cool crust completely in pan on a wire rack, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

Step 3

Prepare the Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese with a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and flour, beating until smooth. Add eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, beating on low speed just until yellow disappears after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

Step 4

Divide batter into 2 equal portions in separate medium bowls. Pour 1 portion into prepared crust; spread evenly.

Step 5

Place Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on medium (50% power) until melted and smooth, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

Step 6

Stir together coffee liqueur and espresso granules in a small bowl until espresso dissolves; stir mixture into remaining bowl of cheesecake batter. Stir melted bittersweet chocolate into coffee batter until blended.

Step 7

Gently pour over plain cheesecake batter in prepared crust, and spread evenly. Pan will be very full. Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 8

Bake at 325 degrees F until center is almost set but center still jiggles slightly when pan is prodded, 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely, about 2 hours.

Step 9

Cover pan loosely with aluminum foil and chill 8 to 12 hours. Gently run a knife or offset spatula around outer edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. Remove sides of pan.

Step 10

Prepare the Topping: About 1 hour before serving, bring cream and corn syrup just to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium. Place Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips in a small heatproof bowl; pour cream-syrup mixture over chocolate chips. Let stand 1 minute. Whisk gently until smooth. Cool slightly, about 15 minutes.

Step 11

Pour chocolate mixture over top of cheesecake, and gently spread to edge of crust. Chill until set, about 30 minutes. Garnish if desired.