Orange-Chocolate Twist Cheesecake

Always a favorite pairing of flavors, this luscious cheesecake stars a delectable blend of orange and chocolate with a double topping of pecans, chocolate, and orange.

• Preparation Time: 50 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 635 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 2 teaspoons water, or as needed
• 1 drop orange food coloring (Optional)
• 1 ½ cups chocolate wafer cookies, crushed
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• ½ cup frozen (thawed) orange juice concentrate
• ½ cup pecans, for garnish

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix the cookie crumbs, 1/2 cup sugar, and melted butter together in a bowl. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of 9 inch springform pan.

Step 3

Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips in a pan over low heat while stirring constantly. Set aside.

Step 4

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Slowly beat in the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, until thoroughly blended. Stir in the orange juice concentrate, orange extract, orange zest, orange food coloring, if desired, and vanilla. Reserve 1 cup of the cream cheese mixture and set aside. Pour the remaining mixture over the prepared crust. Stir the melted chocolate chips into the reserved 1 cup cream cheese mixture. Pour the chocolate mixture into the orange filling, and swirl with a knife.

Step 5

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C), and bake until center springs bake when touched, 75 to 85 minutes. Turn the oven off, and open the oven door; allow cheesecake to cool in the oven at least 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 8 hours, or overnight.

Step 6

Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan by running a knife around the inside edge. Release the side of the pan and lift off. Run a knife under the bottom of the cheesecake and carefully slide onto a serving plate.

Step 7

To make the pecan-chocolate topping, melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a pan over low heat while stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in the corn syrup and sour cream until smooth and evenly blended. Drizzle over the top of the cheesecake. Garnish with pecans.

Step 8

To make the orange topping, stir the cornstarch and water together in a small dish to make a smooth syrup. Place the sugar and orange juice in a pan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and stir in the cornstarch mixture; cook until thick and clear. Cool slightly, and drizzle over the top of the cheesecake.