SERVES 14 TO 16
It’s that time of year again when thoughts turn to love—love and Champagne, hearts, flowers and, of course, chocolate.
Try this yummy Irish cream-laced chocolate cheesecake (made with Philadelphia cream cheese) for a delicious Valentine’s Day treat.
You’ll find other recipes like this in my Favorite Flavors of Ireland cookbook. To order, visit www.irishcook.com
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups digestive biscuit crumbs, such as McVitie’s brand
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, ground (see Note)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
- 2 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- Coffee beans, for garnish (optional)
1. Make crust. Preheat oven to 325° F. In a small bowl, combine crumbs, walnuts, sugar, and melted butter. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack; maintain oven temperature.
2. Make filling. Microwave chocolate in a glass bowl on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir once, and then return to microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted; cool for about 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium until smooth. Add melted chocolate and then mix in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth; stir in Irish cream.
4. Pour mixture over crust and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until nearly set. Remove from oven, run a knife around rim to loosen, and then transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 1 hour before removing side of pan. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
5. To serve, combine confectioners’ sugar and cocoa and sprinkle over top of cake; decorate with coffee beans, if desired. Cut cake into slices.
Note: To toast walnuts, preheat oven to 375° F. Put walnuts on an ungreased baking sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool.
(Editor’s note: A gluten-free version of this dessert can be made using Schär digestives (ordered though Amazon) for the crust, and Carolan’s Irish cream for the filling, which is reported to be gluten-free. Remember to use gluten-free chocolate.)
