Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

If you’re looking for an elegant dessert to serve for a special occasion, why not give this Chocolate Almond Cheesecake a try? My husband recently surprised me with this dessert – he presented it to me as an alternative to a traditional birthday cake – and it became an instant favorite among family and friends!

My husband adapted this recipe from one of our favorite cookbooks – Williams-Sonoma Holiday Favorites. One of the main alterations he made to the recipe was to increase the amount of sugar the recipe called for, as we prefer our cheesecakes on the sweeter side (so you will want to reduce the amount of sugar if you prefer more tartness in your dessert). He also tweaked a few of the other ingredients along the way and eliminated the marzipan fruits (which were an optional decorating idea).

The recipe called for a 10-inch spring form pan, but ours was 9-inches, so we used the extra filling and Oreo crust to make four additional mini-cheesecakes in our 4 inch diameter x 2 inch deep ramekins! We adjusted the baking times for these accordingly – the approximate times for Step 2 was 8 minutes; Step 5, 20 minutes; and Step 6, 8 minutes – but you will need to check these visually to make sure everything sets properly.

I hope you’ll give this decadently delicious dessert a try – it is well worth the effort!

Ingredients:

 1 ½ Cups Oreo Cookie Crumbs
 1     Cup Chopped Almonds
 6     Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted and Cooled
 9     Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
 4 ½ Cups Granulated Sugar
10    Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate – Chopped
 2     Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate – Chopped
 2     Pounds Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
    ½ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
 4     Eggs
    ½ Cup Heavy (Double) Cream
  1    Tablespoon Vanilla Extract (Essence)
  1    Teaspoons Almond Extract (Essence)
  2    Cups Sour Cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Create the crust by mixing the cookie crumbs, almonds, melted butter, and 2 tablespoon of sugar together in a bowl. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom and up 1-inch of the side of a 10-inch spring form pan. Bake for approximately 12 minutes, until the crust is just golden. Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 2 – Oreo and Almond Crust

3. Place 10 ounces of chopped chocolate in the top pan of a double boiler or a heatproof bowl placed over (but not touching) the simmering water. Heat and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Let the chocolate cool.

4. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese, the 4 ½ cups of sugar, and the cocoa powder until well blended, scraping the sides of the bowl. Beat in the cooled chocolate. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the cream, vanilla, and ¾ teaspoon of the almond extract.

Step 5a – Chocolate Mixture, Before Baking

5. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cooled crust. Bake until puffy and gently set in the center, about 1 hour. Let it cool on the wire rack until the cake deflates slightly, about 20 minutes.

Step 5b – Chocolate Mixture, After Baking

6. Stir the sour cream, the remaining sugar, and ¼ teaspoon of almond extract together in a bowl. Spread the mixture over the settled cheesecake. Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake it until it just sets, for about 8 minutes. Let the cheesecake cool completely on a wire rack.

Steps 6 and 7

7. Melt the remaining chocolate as indicated in Step 3. Dip fork tines into the melted chocolate and wave the fork back and forth over the cheesecake to create a zigzag pattern. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

This recipe makes one 10-inch cheesecake that serves 12-16 people.

Now, if you are looking for more fabulous recipes to try – or have a recipe of your own you’d like to share – then join me at the following sites for more culinary inspiration!

Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum
Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home
Cookbook Sundays at Brenda’s Canadian Kitchen
Recipe Swap Sundays at Remodelaholic
Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple
Mouthwatering Mondays at A Southern Fairytale
Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays at Blessed With Grace
Tuesdays At The Table at All The Small Stuff
Two For Tuesdays at Girlichef
Tasty Tuesday Parade Of Foods at Balancing Beauty And Bedlam
Tasty Tuesdays at A Beautiful Mess
Tuesday Night Supper Club at Fudge Ripple
The Weekend Wrap-Up at It’s So Very Cheri

49 Responses to “Chocolate Almond Cheesecake”

Read below or add a comment...

  1. Truthful Mommy says:

    This looks fabulouso. I must have this recipe and make it:)I'm your newest follower! Hope you can return the favor. Happy Friday!
    http://motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/

  2. Nana's Fun Stuff says:

    Oh this looks delicious! I think I gained 5 lbs just looking at it 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  3. Brenda says:

    I am your newest follower from Boost My Blog Friday, hop over and check out my blog and have an awesome weekend!
    kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com

  4. eof777 says:

    That cheesecake looks muy delicioso! Would like to try it. I am stopping by again from Fabulous Friday Follow and I already followed you from before. Do follow me back!
    Have a great weekend!
    Best,
    Elizabeth

  5. Jacqueline says:

    Wow, this looks fabulous from bottom to top! I have to make this! There are too many fabulous things on Foodie Fridays this week!

  6. Penni says:

    OMG – Chocolate and Almond Cheesecake, now that sounds (and looks) delicious. I'll definitely be giving this a try.

    Thanks for the recipe.

    Hugs
    Penni
    X

  7. Emy says:

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and following!
    I'm following you as well!

    That's cheesecake looks delicious!

  8. Sherrie says:

    Following from Blog hop. That looks so to die for yummy. Can't wait to try this.

  9. Lily's Laundry Boutique says:

    yummy! Thanks for linking to FFF. http://www.LilysLaundryBoutique.Blogspot.com
    Have a great weekend!

  10. Rita says:

    Oh that looks scrumptious!!
    Thanks for posting this! 🙂

  11. 2 Giggle Boxes says:

    YUM! Thanks for linking up to FFF. I am following!
    Sarah
    2giggleboxes.blogspot.com

  12. Brenda says:

    Ramona, what an absolutely scrumptious looking cheesecake! I prefer my cheesecakes on the sweeter side too. Thanks so much for participating in my Cookbook Sundays. Enjoy the rest of your day!

  13. Dezinaworld says:

    Hi again, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. I tried to add to follow yesterday but blogger wasnt playing … never mind, i have managed to now
    hugs June xxxxx

  14. Apryl @ Christian Clippers says:

    Following you from Follow Friday. Love your blog. Stop by my blog when you get a chance: http://christianclippers.com

  15. Prairie Story says:

    Cake looks great… i really like how you did the zigzag chocolate on top!

  16. Bella says:

    This looks and sounds delicious. 🙂

  17. Cole says:

    Holy moley, that looks good!!

  18. Christy says:

    wow…this is amazing! i am only sorry we are headed out of town in a couple of days..otherwise i would whip this out tomorrow and make it 3 square meals for the next week! thank you for linking up to TNSC!

  19. Red Couch Recipes says:

    I agree that chocolate and almond tastes great together and the weather is turning and cheesecake does sound great! It looks great too! Joni

  20. April@The 21st Century Housewife says:

    Now that is a beautiful cheesecake – what a lovely birthday treat! Thanks for sharing it.

  21. Georgia's simplyprettythings says:

    This looks soooo yummy.

    I am your new follower 🙂 xxx

  22. Melinda says:

    Oh. my. goodness. I sure wouldn't mind celebrating another birthday if it meant enjoying some of that! 🙂

  23. carolee says:

    My mouth is watering- that looks SOOOOOO delicious!

    I want it now…………..

  24. DORCAS says:

    OH! WOW! This looks delicious! I will have to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing!
    ~Dorcas

  25. Christy says:

    What a delicious birthday "cake" – it has the look of being made with LOVE! Thanks for linking this to Two for Tuesdays! Happy belated Birthday!

  26. Renee says:

    Oh my goodness! This looks scrumptious!!! Thank you for linking it up to Something Beautiful!! This is truly beautiful! What a treat!

    Renee
    aglimpseofbeautiful.com

  27. girlichef says:

    Almond-y desserts are probably one of my biggest weaknesses. This sounds soooo amazing! One slice, please 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this with t4t this week!

  28. the clark clan says:

    Hey princessa! Now THAT is my kind of cheesecake! It is like a dream come true. Cheese AND chocolate, whooo hooo. Thanks for sharing this delightful creation on the two for tuesday recipe blog hop! 🙂 Alex@amoderatelife

  29. julie says:

    Oh YUM! This looks so good! I'm such a sucker for a tasty cheesecake. Thanks for sharing!

  30. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet says:

    Oh, my! Love me some cheesecake! 🙂

  31. Butterpoweredbike says:

    That, is a work of art. Edible works of art are always best, if you ask me! Thanks for sharing with T4T.

  32. the country cook says:

    Oh my goodness, my husband would LOVE this…so would I, for that matter! Definitely bookmarking this one! – http://www.delightfulcountrycookin.com

  33. FrugalMom says:

    This looks fantastic!

    Happy belated birthday!

    Thank you for participating in Follow Us Monday Morning @ Frugality Is Free. I would like to invite you to the The Wednesday Window . It is the place to feature your favorite blog post of the past week or so, for more details check out Frugality Is Free.

  34. alicia says:

    This sounds fabulous my dear. So glad you decided to join up with tasty tuesdays today. Can't wait to try this yumminess. Feel free to stop back anytime!

  35. Couscous & Consciousness says:

    Wow, that looks amazing – perfect for a celebration. Thanks for sharing.
    Sue

  36. Jerri says:

    Wow! Totally wishing I had a slice of this!

    Thanks for linking up with for Friday Favorites!

  37. J L Health 918-836-0565 says:

    Good grief!! A dessert that has chocolate, almonds and cheesecake all in one!! That looks great!!!!! Thanks for sharing with T4T!

    I'd love for you to check out my blog…..Thanks!

  38. Cindy Adkins says:

    Wow, this looks absolutely delicious…amazing!!!
    xox

  39. Young and Crafty says:

    This looks divine!!

    Thanks so much for following and visiting my blog!

    Hannah @ http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/

  40. Jess says:

    oh yummmy, I'm going to add this one to my recipe box!

  41. Winnie says:

    What a fabulous looking cake!
    Amazingly delicious as per the recipe
    I’m pinning this

  42. What a lovely alternative to a birthday cake – and how wonderful that your husband made it for you! I think your Chocolate and Almond Cheesecake looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

  43. Joanne says:

    Oh my goodness; that looks so good! I love cheesecake. Pinned

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