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German Chocolate Cheesecake

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slice of german chocolate cheesecake on plate

It’s my birthday and I’ll make my own cake if I want to! Yup, that’s right. Today is my birthday! My Golden birthday to be exact – I’m turning 30 on December 30. I definitely don’t feel 30, but I don’t think I could put a number on how I “feel”. And yes, I do like to make my own birthday cake. I feel like there are never enough times during the year to make a really good cake from scratch, and a birthday is definitely one of those occasions. Since my husband insists on a store bought cookie cake for his birthday (honestly…), I always want to make something special for my birthday. Because, it’s my birthday! I actually made this amazing German Chocolate Cheesecake for Christmas, but I wanted to have a cake to share with you today. I’ll post my birthday cake in a few days! 🙂

This cheesecake is rich and decadent, but amazingly delicious. Each part is delicious by itself, but put together, it is a total show stopper.
slice of german chocolate cheesecake on plate
top down view of german chocolate cheesecake with pecans on border
Taking a look at this cheesecake, you might think that it is complicated and hard. And while it will take you the better part of an afternoon to make, it is not hard. Repeat – time does not = difficulty. So often I see people look at a long recipe and immediately assume it is way beyond their skill level. This is sooo not the case (ok, sometimes it is). This recipe is a fantastic example of that. There are five components to this cheesecake, and start to finish, it took probably 2 hours, plus extra chill in the fridge time. But each component is very simple to put together, and I guarantee that as long as you can follow directions (and even I have problems with that sometimes) you can make this!
slice of german chocolate cheesecake
And you will be sooo happy that you did make this! This cheesecake is rich and decadent, but amazingly delicious. Each part is delicious by itself, but put together, it is a total show stopper. We took this to Christmas dinner and everyone loved it. I was super happy that there were a few pieces left that we could bring home and eat later.

 

slice of german chocolate cheesecake on plate with crumbs

 

slice of german chocolate cheesecake on plate

German Chocolate Cheesecake

This cheesecake is rich and decadent, but amazingly delicious. Each part is delicious by itself, but put together, it is a total show stopper.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German
Prep Time: 3 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Chill Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
Author: Jenni

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 1 package of chocolate sandwich cookies think oreos, but go cheap
  • 6 Tablespoon unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • small pinch salt

Ganache:

  • ¼ cup + 2 TBSP heavy cream
  • 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cheesecake:

  • 24 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 3 ounces chocolate chips melted and cooled

Cake:

  • ¾ cup flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup + 2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup + 2 TBSP buttermilk
  • cup + 1/2 TBSP vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup + 2 TBSP warm water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Filling:

  • cup heavy cream
  • cup sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 ounces butter cut into small pieces
  • teaspoon salt
  • cup pecans toasted and finely chopped
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut toasted

Instructions

Crust:

  • Using a food processor, finely crush all the cookies (and frosting, too!) until they are crumbs.
  • Toss in the melted butter and pinch of salt until well combined.
  • Toss the crumbs into a buttered springform dish, and using a flat bottomed glass, press the crumbs all the way up the sides of the pan and evenly on the bottom (using a twisting motion helps the crumbs not stick to the glass). Be patient, it takes some time, but they will go.

Ganache:

  • Place the chocolate in a medium bowl.
  • In a medium saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer.
  • Pour the cream over the chocolate and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk smooth.
  • Pour the ganache over the bottom of the crust.
  • Place the springform pan in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Butter a 9″ round cake pan.
  • Cut a circle of parchment paper and place it in the bottom of the cake pan, and butter the bottom.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the egg, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla.
  • Whisk until well combined and smooth.
  • Pour into the pan and bake 25-30 minutes.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cheesecake:

  • In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until well blended and creamy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
  • Add the chocolate and mix until combined.
  • Pour over the prepared crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
  • Bake for 55 minutes or until almost set (the top may crack, but you’re going to cover it anyway so its ok!)
  • Cool completely, and then chill in the fridge until ready to assemble.

Filling:

  • Place the butter, salt, toasted coconut and toasted pecans in a medium bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, heat the cream, sugar, and egg yolks over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and reaches 170F on a candy thermometer.
  • Pour the mixture over the coconut mixture and stir until the butter is melted.
  • Set aside to cool.

Assembly:

  • Place half of the coconut filling on the top of the cheesecake and spread it evenly.
  • Carefully place the chocolate cake layer on top.
  • Spread the remaining coconut filling on the top of the cake layer and smooth out.
  • Decorate the top of the cake with pecans!
  • Chill for 3 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to serve, wrap the springform pan in warm dishtowels for a minute or two, and then remove the springform pan.
  • Serve and Enjoy!

 

 

 (Recipe from Willow Bird Baking)

 

19 Comments

  1. A gorgeous cheesecake, and a wonderful birthday cake! I agree, there are not enough moments to make great cakes. Happy Birthday!

  2. Happy birthday my friend!!! That cheesecake looks outstanding – I totally want to go make one now. And I agree about making your own birthday cake – you get to go all out!! I hope you have an awesome birthday!!!

    1. Thank you my friend! 🙂 And yes, I LOVE making my own birthday cake! Wish I could share a slice with you!!!

  3. Happy birthday, dear friend! This cake looks incredible, I love german chocolate and cheesecake, just never thought to try them together!

  4. Oh, this looks so good! As we get older it seems there's more candles and less cake, but that's not the case here. Happy Birthday!

  5. Happy birthday Jenni! What an amazing cheesecake. I am so totally with you about making your own birthday cake – I look forward to it all year and spend WAAAAAY too much time planning what I'll make for myself, lol! Have a fantastic day!

  6. Happy Birthday! The cheesecake looks amazing. I would never have thought of a German chocolate cheesecake! Genius!

  7. No complaining about being 30, young lady. I'm 52 and here to tell you that the next 22 years are going to be unbelievably fun for you. After that I dunno.

  8. It's beautiful, Jenni, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Happy happy birthday 🙂

  9. this is so unfair 🙂 I begged my husband to make me a chocolate cheesecake for new year's eve and I only got a lemon one. and now I see THIS!!! amazing stuff, wich i could have a slice. buon anno!

    1. Barbara, I think a lemon one would be equally delicious! 🙂

  10. That cake looks so decadent!! Hope you had a great birthday and another wonderful cake.

  11. bewitchingkitchen.com says:

    A belated Happy Birthday! Well, age is just a number, and I can tell you that from the top of 52 years very well lived!

    enjoy each day, and enjoy each cheesecake you make for yourself, that's the ticket to bliss!

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