The Best Double Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

This rich and creamy Chocolate Cheesecake recipe is everything a classic chocolate cheesecake should be! With a crunchy Oreo cookie crust and a decadent chocolate cream cheese filling, it’s perfect on its own, or topped with chocolate whipped cream, chocolate curls, or hot fudge.

🍫 The BEST Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

There are times when you want to indulge . . . you NEED to indulge . . . and are caught in the age-old dilemma: chocolate or cheesecake? Well, that dilemma ends here and now. It’s time for chocolate lovers and cheesecake lovers to unite!

Don’t get me wrong, layer cakes are great and brownies really hit the spot — but nothing can compare with a slice of dense, chocolatey cheesecake when it comes to ultimate chocolate indulgence. How chocolatey is it, you ask? Let me count the ways:

• crisp Oreo cookie crust
• a thick, rich chocolate cheesecake filling with both cocoa and melted chocolate
• chocolate whipped cream on top
• a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, to really take it over the top!

Best of all, this cheesecake requires NO WATER BATH! You don’t have to worry about hot water sneaking into your cheesecake while it bakes – just make it and bake it!

If you love cheesecake, we have a ton of cheesecake recipes here at SugarHero, including New York Style Cheesecake, Candy Cane Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake, Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake, and Gingerbread Cheesecake.

🧾 What You’ll Need

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you need to know as you get ready to make this chocolate cheesecake:

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• Cream cheese: This is extremely important: be sure to use full fat blocks of cream cheese for the best results. Avoid “light” and “whipped” cream cheese, and any cream cheese sold in a tub. Some of these products have additives or stabilizers that will negatively impact your cheesecake’s texture. I recommend using Philadelphia brand cream cheese when possible–I have had mixed experiences with store brands. Also, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you begin. This will give you the smoothest, creamiest results.
• Cocoa powder: Since cocoa powder provides much of the chocolate flavor, I recommend using a high-quality cocoa powder. Cheap cocoa powders can be nearly flavorless, or worse, impart a bitter, dusty, or stale flavor. My personal favorite is Cacao Barry Extra Brute – it hits that sweet spot between very high quality but also pretty affordable since it is sold in bulk. Look for cocoa that is dutch-processed (also known as alkalized), because it has a deeper, richer flavor and color. However, you can swap in regular unsweetened cocoa powder without needing to make any other adjustments. The cheesecake will take on a lighter color and might have a lighter cocoa flavor.
• Oreo cookies: Ready-made Oreo crumbs can be difficult to find in stores, so we’ll be using about 10 Oreo cookies to make make our own crumbs for the crust.
• Espresso powder: a bit of instant espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor (without making the cheesecake taste like coffee!). You can omit it if you don’t have it on hand.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: You can use chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars in this recipe – just make sure you use a high-quality, flavorful chocolate that you enjoy the taste of.
• Cream: Heavy cream will get you the best results – the high fat content adds to the creaminess of the cheesecake. But whipping cream or half-and-half will also work. I do not recommend substituting milk for the cream.
• Eggs: You’ll want to use large eggs at room temperature. Either let them sit out for 20-30 minutes before you begin, or submerge them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to warm them up quickly.

Equipment

You won’t need much in the way of specialty equipment to make this decadent dessert–just a few baking basics! (Links are affiliate links and I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.)

• Springform pan: a springform pan is a MUST for making cheesecakes. Unlike most cake pans, the sides of this pan expand so you can easily remove the cheesecake from the pan without damaging it. This recipe calls for an 8-inch pan, but you can also use a 9-inch pan to make a shorter cheesecake.
• Food processor: a food processor is another one of my must-have kitchen tools. It will make short work of chopping the Oreo cookies for this recipe, and so much more in the future! If you don’t have one, you can use a rolling pin (and some elbow grease) to crush the cookies.
• Mixer:a hand mixer or stand mixer will both work in this recipe.
• Piping bag and tip: I like these disposable piping bags (I wash them and re-use them to reduce waste!). I used large star tip for the whipped cream rosettes.
• Large knife: When you get ready to serve this cheesecake you’ll want a large knife like this 8″ chef’s knife. It will make slicing the cake a dream and create nice even cuts.

📋 Instructions

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to make this creamy cheesecake! Full instructions are included in the recipe card down below.

Make the chocolate cookie crust

• Add Oreo cookies to a food processor and pulse until they’re in fine crumbs. Add melted butter to the processor bowl, and pulse until well combined.
• Pour the Oreo crust mixture into a springform pan and gently press the crust into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling.

Make the chocolate filling

• Add the room temperature cream cheese bricks to the bowl of a stand mixer and mix the cream cheese for 4-5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
• Add the sugar and flour and mix until just combined.

• Add cocoa powder, instant espresso powder and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
• In a separate bowl, heat the heavy cream until hot (but not boiling). Add in the chocolate chips and allow them to set/melt for 2-3 minutes. Then whisk until smooth.
• With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the chocolate mixture and blend until just combined and smooth.

💭 Variations

• Make the crust with chocolate-filled Oreos for a double dose of chocolate flavor. Or, make the crust with another specialty Oreo cookie flavor.
• Drizzle with chocolate fudge sauce, caramel sauce or your favorite fruit sauce.
• Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top.
• Embellish with chocolate truffles, chocolate curls, sliced fruit or chopped nuts.
• Add chocolate chips or swirl in a couple spoonfuls of chocolate espresso sauce.
• Swirl your favorite fruity jam into the batter before you bake it.
• Serve with a delicious cup of Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate or Nutella Hot Chocolate!

💡 Tips and FAQs  

• Use cream cheese bricks. You want full-fat cream cheese bricks for the best texture. “Whipped” or “light” cream cheese won’t have the same effect. I cream the cream cheese for 4-5 minutes at LEAST to make sure it is completely smooth and there are no lumps before adding in any other ingredients. This insures you have a smooth, consistent batter.
• Use room temperature ingredients. Make sure to bring the cream cheese and eggs to room temperature before using them in the cheesecake. This ensures that everything incorporates together easily.
• Add the eggs last and don’t overmix. You want to mix only just until the yolk disappears otherwise the texture of the cheesecake will be affected.
• To check if the cheesecake is done, gently wiggle the pan. If the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly, it is done.
• Cool slowly. After the initial 50 minutes of bake time, turn the oven off but do not take the cheesecake out. Instead, crack the oven door and let it sit for another 20-30 minutes to allow it to cool down slowly. If it cools too quickly, cracks will form.
• Chill overnight. For the best results, let the cheesecake chill in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours before serving.