The first time I had S’mores Cheesecake was at Cheesecake Factory in Charlotte. The kids and I went up there to pick up my mother-in-law from the airport, and we headed over to the mall for some shopping therapy and cheesecake. We sat down and ate lunch while I studied the cheesecake menu. I am always looking for new cheesecake ideas, and S’mores anything makes my list of dessert experiments.
After snapping some pictures and posting them all over Facebook and Instagram as I wolfed this incredible cheesecake down, I piped up, “I have to make my own version of this when I get home and put it on the menu at Krafty Draft!” Ironically, it was right before my birthday, and I ended up claiming this as my birthday cake because it had become my new favorite flavor. For my birthday last year, I was very thankful for recipe experiments.
S’mores Cheesecake
For the Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
4 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
¼ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¾ cup heavy cream
10 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
For the Topping
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
7 oz. marshmallow fluff
4 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
Graham crackers, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Double-wrap the outside of a 9 inch springform pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, place inside a 12 inch cake pan. Place graham cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small mixing bowl, toss together. Add the melted butter and mix with your hands until thoroughly combined. Rub butter all along the bottom of the springform pan, then press mixture evenly along the bottom. Place pans in the oven to bake for 7 minutes, remove pans from oven and set aside.
Heat ¾ cup heavy cream in microwave for 45-60 seconds, or until it starts to boil. Pour over 10 oz. chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl and whisk together until melted, set aside. In a standing mixer (or in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer), add 8 oz. cream cheese, cornstarch, and 2/3 cups sugar. Beat at medium speed with the paddle attachment until mixture is smooth. Add cocoa and another 8 oz. cream cheese, along with 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until smooth. Add remaining cream cheese and granulated sugar, one at a time, until smooth. Slow mixer to stirring speed, add vanilla, and one egg at a time, scraping down the sides. Turn on to stirring speed and slowly add melted chocolate just until mixed in (do not overmix). Spoon mixture into springform pan on top of crust and spread into an even layer.
Pour warm water into the larger cake pan, creating a water bath (this prevents cracks). The water should come up at least 1 inch around the springform pan. Carefully place pans in oven and bake for about 1 hour 25 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Remove pans from oven, pull the springform pan out of the larger pan and place on a cooling rack for about 4 hours to cool completely. Remove aluminum foil from around pan.
Cover springform pan with plastic wrap and place in freezer to set for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Remove plastic wrap from springform pan. Release and remove sides of springform. Place a piece of parchment or wax paper on top of cheesecake, turn upside down on a flat surface. Carefully remove bottom of pan, turn back over onto a serving plate.
Heat ¼ cup heavy cream in microwave for 45-60 seconds, or until it starts to boil. Pour over ½ cup chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl and whisk together until melted, spread on top of cheesecake into an even layer. Place in freezer for chocolate to set, about 15 minutes. In a small mixing bowl, combine marshmallow fluff and whipped topping, beat with an electric mixture until smooth. Spread on top of chocolate layer on cheesecake, return to freezer to set for at least 30 minutes.
Cut into slices with a sharp, straight edged knife, wiping knife between each cut. Garnish with graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips, if desired. Store cheesecake in refrigerator until ready to serve for up to 7 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.
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