Yield: 1 Cake
Measure | Ingredient |
---|---|
\N \N | (Cherry Topping): |
1 pounds | Frozen unsweetened cherries, thawed |
¼ cup | Kirsch |
¼ cup | (about) Morello cherry syrup or sour cherry syrup |
\N \N | (Chocolate Crust): |
8½ ounce | Chocolate wafer cookies |
6 tablespoons | (3/4 stick) well-chilled Butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces |
\N \N | (Chocolate Filling): |
1½ cup | Whipping cream |
12 ounces | Semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped |
16 ounces | Cream cheese, at room temperature |
¾ cup | Sugar |
4 \N | Eggs, room temperature |
1 teaspoon | Vanilla |
\N \N | (Garnish): |
1 cup | Whipping cream, well-chilled |
2 tablespoons | Sugar |
1 tablespoon | Kirsch |
\N \N | Chocolate curls (optional) |
\N - | Home of Kook-Net (315)782-1120 - |
Soak undrained cherries and kirsch in small bowl 6 hours. Thoroughly drain cherries in strainer set over medium bowl, shaking occasionally, at least two hours.
Reserve liquid. Add enough Morello cherry syrup to cherry liquid to measure 1 cup. Pour 6 tablespoons into heavy 8-inch skillet (reserve remaining liquid for filling). Halve cherries and add to skillet. Boil until syrup is thickened and mixture resembles preserves, about 6 minutes. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Chill.)
Generously butter 9-inch springform pan. Finely crush cookies in processor, using on/off turns. Cut in butter until mixture begins to gather together, using on/off turns. Press crumbs into bottom of pan and up sides to ¾ inch from top; there should be no cracks.
Refrigerate crust for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Heat 1½ cups cream with chocolate in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring constantly. Cool 10 minutes.
Beat cream cheese with ¾ cup sugar until smooth.
Beat in eggs 1 at a time until just combined. Beat in chocolate mixture, then remaining 10 tablespoons cherry liquid and vanilla. Pour into crust. Bake until outer 2 inches of cake are firm but center still moves slightly, about 1 ¼ hours (top may crack). Cool completely on rack. Top pan with paper towels and cover tightly with foil. Refrigerate 1 to 2 days.
Remove foil, paper towels and pan sides from cake.
Spread cherry topping over cake. Beat remaining 1 cup cream with 2 tablespoons sugar and kirsch to peaks.
Spoon into center of cake. Top with chocolate curls if desired. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.) Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Edited to MM format by: Lois Flack, CYBEREALM BBS, Watertown, NY