This chocolate caramel chip cheesecake is so rich, creamy, and chocolate-y, it’s almost like eating a candy bar! An easy yet impressive make-ahead dessert.

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake slice on plate, garnished with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a chocolate square.  food desserts chocolate

This is a sponsored post, written by me and created in partnership with Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. All opinions expressed herein are straight from my heart.

Cheesecake, man. Is there anything better? I can’t think of another dessert that’s quite so irresistible. There’s something about that creamy, dreamy filling, and the crunchy cookie crust that just calls to me.

Even better if there’s chocolate involved. Add caramel and I am completely powerless to its charms!

Have you heard about all the incredible new caramel products Ghirardelli has come out with? I was lucky enough to receive a sampling, and the minute I saw, I couldn’t wait to get into my kitchen and experiment.

The end result was this magnificent chocolate caramel chip cheesecake.

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake: Omg this was to-die-for!  So rich and chocolate-y.  Will definitely make again- it's a perfect make-ahead dessert.  food desserts chocolate

Here’s the rundown: rich chocolate cheesecake, speckled with creamy caramel chips, cradled in a crunchy cookie crust and topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.  Swoon!  Can you even? 

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake overhead shot of Ghirardelli ingredients

There are all the usual suspects: cream cheese, eggs, cream, etc., but for this recipe we are also using Ghirardelli Chocolate’s Premium Baking Cocoa, the new Caramel Flavored Baking Chips, and Caramel Sauce. And it’s all inspired by my beloved Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares (the Milk Chocolate Caramel kind) that are one of my favorite little indulgences!

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake: eggs being cracked into mixing bowl with Ghirardelli ingredients in background

I’ve been baking with Ghirardelli products for years; I love them because they are easy enough to find on my regular grocery store shelf, yet the quality is so superior. The flavor is always so rich, deep, and intense, and it really makes your homemade desserts shine.

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake: unbaked cheesecake in water bath, with Ghirardelli ingredients in background.  food desserts chocolate

One of the best things about cheesecake is that it’s easy, and it’s also a perfect make-ahead dessert. I like to bake it the day before I plan to serve it. That way it has plenty of time to chill in the fridge.

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake: animated gif of caramel sauce being drizzled over cheesecake slice.  food desserts chocolate

Once the cheesecake is nice and cold, just cut it into slices and top with caramel sauce. If you want nice, clean cuts like you see here, run a sharp knife under hot water for a few seconds, then towel off before cutting. Repeat this after every slice, so that the knife always sinks in cleanly and your cuts are picture-perfect!

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake: Omg this was to-die-for!  So rich and chocolate-y.  Will definitely make again- it's a perfect make-ahead dessert.  food desserts chocolate

I think you and your family will really love this chocolate caramel chip cheesecake! It’s definitely a crowd pleaser, with all that chocolate and caramel. I even like to top it with whipped cream, and garnish with a Milk Chocolate Caramel Square. So pretty and even more delish!

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake slice on a plate, surrounded by Ghirardelli ingredients.  food desserts chocolate

More great cheesecake recipes on my “Cheesecake Recipes” Pinterest board!


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4.25 stars (4 ratings)

Chocolate Caramel Chip Cheesecake

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Chill Time:: 2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
This chocolate caramel chip cheesecake is so rich, creamy, and chocolate-y, it’s almost like eating a candy bar!  An easy yet impressive make-ahead dessert.   

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 24 chocolate sandwich cookies with crème filling
  • 5 tablespoons (73.93 g) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (43 g) Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 24 ounces (680.39 g) cream cheese, softened, (3 bricks)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup (119 g) heavy whipping cream
  • 4 ounces (113.4 g) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Baking Chips,, melted & cooled slightly
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (177.44 g) Ghirardelli Caramel Flavored Baking Chips,

For the garnishes

  • 1/2 cup (119 g) heavy whipping cream,, whipped softly with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Ghirardelli Premium Caramel Sauce
  • Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares

Instructions
 

  • To make the crust:  
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, generously mist an 8-inch x 3-inch high round cake pan with non-stick spray, and line with a circle cut from parchment.* 
  • Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies to fine crumbs with a food processor or mini-chopper. 
  • Add the melted butter and toss to combine. 
  • Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. 
  • To make the filling:  
  • Place the sugar, cocoa, and salt in a large mixing bowl, and whisk to combine. 
  • Add the cream cheese, mixing on medium-low speed until combined.  
  • Add the eggs and yolks, one at a time, stopping to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula after each addition.  
  • Stir in the cream, melted chocolate, and vanilla, and fold in the caramel flavored chips.
  • Transfer the cheesecake batter to the prepared pan, and tap it sharply on the counter a few times, to eliminate any large air bubbles.  
  • Place the unbaked cheesecake in a larger baking dish, and pour very hot water into the larger dish until it comes up about 1-inch around the cheesecake pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F, then lower the oven temperature to 250 degrees F, and bake for another 65 minutes, or until set around the edges but still slightly jiggly towards the center.  
  • Turn off the oven, and prop the door open with a wooden spoon, allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven for at least an hour.  
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight before flipping out of the pan and onto a serving plate.  (Wrap in a hot towel to help release the cheesecake from the pan.)
  • Garnish with whipped cream, Caramel Sauce, and Milk Chocolate Caramel Squares. 

Notes

*Can also be made in a springform pan, but I prefer to use a regular cake pan to prevent leakage from the water bath. You can read more about that here. Most springform pans are 8 or 9 inches in diameter, so bear in mind that the cheesecake will come out thinner if you go that route.
Calories: 631kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 25g, Cholesterol: 191mg, Sodium: 344mg, Potassium: 314mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 1320IU, Calcium: 143mg, Iron: 3.3mg
Cuisine: Cheesecake
Course: Dessert
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