MOCHA RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

Mocha Raspberry Cheesecake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 4h45m

Yield about 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup chocolate-wafer cookie crumbs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 tablespoon hot water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Four 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 1/2 cups chopped semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon corn syrup

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the wafer cookie crumbs and the 4 tablespoons melted butter in a bowl. Mix well and then press into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the crumb crust from the oven and set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 225 degrees F.
Combine the espresso powder, hot water and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Adjust the mixer to medium-low speed and add the eggs one at a time, mixing each until combined before adding the next. Add the condensed milk, cornstarch, vanilla and the espresso mixture. Mix until completely smooth.
Arrange the raspberries over the crust; pour the cheesecake batter over the raspberries. Bake for 1 hour, until set but still a bit wobbly in the center. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake to cool in the oven for another 2 hours, until both oven and cake are room temperature.
Heat the chocolate, cream, corn syrup and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over a double boiler, stirring until the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and glossy. (Alternatively, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each.)
Top the cooled cheesecake with the ganache and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Slice and serve.