Some desserts are yummy. Some are sweet. Some are decadent. Some are all of the above and then some. This dessert is perfect. That is, if you adore cheesecake as much as I do. In fact, this cake starts out with the best cheesecake recipe ever. It is adapted from the famous Junior’s Cheesecake recipe. I mean, it has 4 packages of cream cheese in it plus heavy cream…how bad can that be?????? If you are a cheesecake fanatic I highly recommend you try this. It makes tons so you will have enough to feed a crowd and it is perfectly rich so your company will Ooooooh and Ahhhhh over your creation. And yes, tell them to feel free to eat the cookie dough right off the top…because they will ask. Trust me, they will!
You’ll Need:
Piping Bag
Cheesecake Moat
HUGE Spatula
9 inch springform pan
Cookie Dough Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1 /2 c. graham cracker crumbs
- 1 T sugar
- 6 T melted butter
Cheesecake:
- Four 8-ounce packages PHILADELPHIA cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1⅔ cups sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 extra-large eggs
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
Ganache
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 12 ounces Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate bars (not chips)
Cookie Dough Balls
- 8 T. butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup plus 2 T. flour
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Decorative Frosting
- ⅔ c. Skippy peanut butter-creamy!
- 8 T. soft butter
- 1 c. powdered sugar
Instructions
Crust:
- Combine all ingredients and press into a 9 inch springform pan.
- Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Let cool.
Cheesecake:
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 package of the cream cheese, ⅓ cup of the sugar, and the cornstarch together on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl several times.
- Blend in the remaining cream cheese, one package at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat in the remaining sugar, then the vanilla.
- Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
- Beat in the cream just until completely blended.
- The filling will look light, creamy, airy, and almost like billowy clouds. Be careful not to overmix! Gently spoon the batter over the crust. Wrap the sides of the pan in aluminum foil.
- Place the cake pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes halfway (about 1 inch) up the side of the springform. (Alternatively, use a cheesecake moat-my fave!) Bake until the edge is light golden brown, the top is light gold, and the center barely jiggles, about 1¼ hours. If the cake still feels soft around the edge, let it bake for 10 minutes more (the cooking time will be about the same for both the 8- and 9-inch cheesecakes). Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours. Chill until cold. Then Pour on the ganache.
Ganache
- Heat the cream just to a boil and pour over the chocolate in a heat proof bowl.
- Lets it 2 minutes.
- Stir until all the chocolate is melted! Let cool a bit and pour onto the cold cheesecake.
- Return to the fridge for several hours or overnight - until the chocolate is set.
Cookie Dough Balls
- Beat all ingredients except the chips.
- Once smooth, fold in the chips.
- Roll into cookie dough balls and chill to firm.
Frosting
- Beat pb and butter and slowly add sugar.
- Beat till smooth.
- Pipe onto cake once the ganache has set using pastry bag.
- Top the decorative circles with the chilled cookie dough balls.
Barbara says
This Cookie Dough Cheesecake looks good but I don’t like peanut butter except on toast!! What substitute frosting can you suggest please!!!
Tiffany says
Sub the peanut butter for cookie butter or Nutella.
Teri Giese says
What a goddess! Put every single yummy, naughty food into this! Love it! That time of year, and the die-et, gyms, resolutions are craziness! Believe all things in moderation. No clue about feasting to extremes at Thanksgiving. Well, because we eat good ALL. year! Just not in a gluttonous fashion. AND,I like to play for exercise. Worked. in gyms and was a trainer for years, and,well,is a racket.Was a fantastic aerobics instructor, but could NOT sell a gym membership for the life of me! Am too honest! Anyway, love cheesecake, who doesn’t love cookie dough, peanut butter, carry a jar with me at ALL times!! Thanks and A Very Happy and Blessed New Year to the “Barbie and Ken Family! Hugs!!
Hugs & Cookies xoxo says
YOU are the cutest!!! What a smile your message brought to me!!! Thank you!!!!
Ruthann Jones says
These sound so delicious. I want to try each and every one, at least once.
Hugs & Cookies xoxo says
ahaha love that!