“Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache”

Do you have a favorite dessert? When it’s hot outside, nothing a cool and creamy dessert. That’s how my Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache came about. It was a hot and steamy day off and again I was cleaning out the pantry. Cheesecake happens to be one of my favorite desserts and are delicious anytime of the year. You may just find your next favorite cheesecake recipe.

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache

This cheesecake is made with chocolate graham cracker crust blended with more chocolate flavor from cocoa. Cream cheese and crema di mascarpone are used for filling and store-bought chocolate pound cake for layers in between filling. Did I mention Oreo cookie pieces are mixed in cream cheese? Yum! Top this fabulous cake with white chocolate ganache and one heavenly dessert is created.

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache

One taste and it’s all over but the weeping. Melt in your mouth chocolate heaven. Cheesecake starts with a delicious crust made of numerous ingredients like shortbread cookies, butter cookies, cookie dough, nuts, and of course, graham crackers. For this cheesecake I used chocolate graham crackers with cocoa added for additional flavor.

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache

Next is your cream cheese filling and what makes this dessert just sing. Incredible filling can be plain with citrus flavor like lemon, lime or orange. Ever think of flavoring with extracts like rum, maple, peppermint, coconut, almond, or anise? If not, you should give them a try whether baked or unbaked cheesecake is made. Summer is the best time for unbaked cheesecakes. You can add fresh fruits, chopped cookies and candy to your filling as well as caramel and other sauces. Think store-bought when time is of the essence. I didn’t bake a chocolate cake because of time. Find a market that makes great baked goods to use in your recipes when in a pinch.

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache

Last are the toppings which are many. The traditional cherry topping never gets old. Yet in my recipe being oreo, mini oreos had to go on top. I took advantage of what I had on hand and they work perfectly. No one can get enough oreos. To beat all, I just had to add white chocolate ganache. Lord, how I love a good cheesecake and you will, too. Checkout another cheesecake recipe, Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake with Cream Topping.

Cheesecakes come together rather quickly and are easy to carry to cookouts or serving at home when having family and friends over. Social distancing doesn’t mean you and loved ones can’t enjoy good food. I recently shared this cheesecake coworkers and it was loved by all. Share because each time we get together now is a celebration of sorts by staying safe and healthy. Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache

1 1/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

1 T. Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa powder

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup melted salted butter

1 store-bought chocolate loaf pound cake, sliced into 10-12 slices

2 – 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup crema di mascarpone, softened

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

1 t. vanilla extract

2 cups broken Oreo cookie pieces (14 Oreo cookies)

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

Mini Oreos, for garnish

 

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham crackers, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter.

Line inside ring of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper then press cracker crumb mixture evenly into bottom and ½-inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Use the bottom of a glass or flat measuring cup to press crust. Bake for 6 minutes and remove from oven to cool.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and mascarpone until smooth. Add in heavy cream, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and vanilla. Stir in Oreo cookie pieces until blended.

To assemble cheesecake, spoon half of cream cheese over cookie crust evenly. Place half of cake slices on cream cheese. Spread remaining cream cheese over cake layer and top with remaining cake slices. Press on top of cake to rid of any air bubbles. Place cheesecake in refrigerator to begin chilling.

To make white chocolate ganache, place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 20 seconds. In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream just to boil.

Pour cream to cover white chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Begin whisking to completely melt chocolate and mixture becomes smooth. You can continue whisking to thicken and cool ganache or place plastic wrap upon top of ganache to prevent skin from forming and refrigerate until cool. Remove and whisk until ganache thickens yet pourable.

Pour ganache over cheesecake and decorate as desired. I used mini Oreos as garnish. Refrigerate cheese cake for at least 4 hours to overnight. Overnight is best.

When ready to serve, remove outer ring of springform pan. Carefully peel away parchment paper and discard. Ganache may run down sides and that is okay. Cut into slices and serve.

Store any leftovers in refrigerator in an airtight container or covered by non-stick foil.

 

Makes about 12 servings.