Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 50 min. + chilling
Yield 16 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Few desserts are as luscious and impressive as a chocolate swirl cheesecake. We'll show you how to master cheesecake-baking techniques so you have a stunning, crack-free cake.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs (about 4 whole crackers)
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, divided
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • FILLING:
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup, divided
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • TOPPING:
  • 2 cups sweetened whipped cream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Wrap a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square) around a greased 9-in. springform pan. Combine cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup walnuts and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto bottom and 1 in. up side of prepared pan and place on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  2. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool.
  3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add next 5 ingredients and 2 tablespoons maple syrup; beat until well blended. Add eggs; beat on low speed until combined. Pour into prepared crust, reserving 3 tablespoons batter. Mix reserved cheesecake batter into cooled chocolate; drop spoonfuls over filling. Cut through batter and chocolate with a knife to swirl.
  4. Place springform pan in a larger baking pan; add 1 in. hot water to larger pan. Bake until center is just set but still jiggles when shaken, 50-65 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen side from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.
  5. Remove rim from pan. Serve with whipped cream. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts; drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 936 calories, 75g fat (40g saturated fat), 267mg cholesterol, 613mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.

Searching for a dessert superstar? This chocolate swirl cheesecake is the one that people ask for again and again. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC