Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Wet Walnuts

5 stars (2 ratings)

Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Wet Walnuts

This Double Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake is worth every sinful calorie! A smooth, dense chocolate cheesecake filling is baked over a fudge-y brownie base, then crowned with gooey, buttery, salted caramel wet walnut topping. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven!

Prep Time45

Cook Time1 50

Cooling Time3

Total Time2 35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brownie, Cheesecake, Chocolate, double chocolate, Salted Caramel, walnuts

Servings: servings

Calories: 666kcal

Ingredients

For the Brownie Base

2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of kosher salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the Chocolate Cheesecake

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
24 ounces cream cheese (3 bricks), softened
4 large eggs
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

For the Salted Caramel Wet Walnut Topping

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Brownie Base:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, generously mist an 8-inch diameter by 3-inch high straight-sided cake pan with non-stick spray, and line with a circle cut from parchment.
Place the sugar, cocoa, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl and whisk to combine.
Add the butter, and microwave in 30-second increments until melted. Stir together until smooth.
Add in the egg and vanilla, stirring until blended, then fold in the flour.
Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan, and bake for 15 minutes.

Make the Chocolate Cheesecake:

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 transfer the cheesecake batter to the prepared pan.
Rap the unbaked cheesecake sharply on the counter a few times, to eliminate any large air bubbles.
Place it 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. Allow 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.)

Make the Salted Caramel Wet Walnuts:

Place the walnut halves on a baking sheet in a single layer, and toast in a 350 degree oven for about 4 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
Transfer the walnuts to a small bowl and fold together with the salted caramel sauce.
Spoon the topping over the cheesecake just before serving.

Nutrition