Ready for a dessert that will make your taste buds do a happy dance? Meet Chocolate Crunchie Cheesecake—a rich, creamy cheesecake with a decadent twist! It’s everything you love about cheesecake, but with a deliciously crunchy surprise and the irresistible taste of chocolate. Imagine the silky smoothness of cheesecake, paired with the crunch of crushed chocolate bars, all topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. Trust me, you’re going to want to dive right in!
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Crunchie Cheesecake
This isn’t just any cheesecake—it’s a showstopper. Whether you’re hosting a celebration or simply indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, this cheesecake is a total winner. Here’s why it’s worth making:
Versatile: It’s perfect for any occasion—birthdays, holidays, or a sweet end to a regular weeknight dinner. The best part? It can be made ahead of time!
Budget-Friendly: You don’t need to break the bank to make this dessert. With just a few simple ingredients (that you might already have in your pantry), you can create a rich, indulgent cheesecake that tastes like it’s from a bakery.
Quick and Easy: Yes, cheesecake can be easy! This one requires no baking—just a bit of chilling time to let all those flavors come together. You’ll love how effortless it is.
Customizable: Want to switch things up? You can easily swap the Crunchie bars for your favorite chocolate or candy bar, making this cheesecake fully customizable to your tastes.
Crowd-Pleasing: This cheesecake is a guaranteed hit with friends, family, or anyone with a sweet tooth. The balance of smooth, creamy, and crunchy will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
Let’s take a look at what makes this cheesecake so irresistible:
Cream Cheese: The creamy base of the cheesecake that gives it that perfect, velvety texture. Choose full-fat cream cheese for the richest flavor.
Whipping Cream: Adds a luxurious texture to the filling and helps the cheesecake set beautifully.
Sugar: Just the right amount of sweetness to balance the richness of the cream cheese and chocolate.
Digestive Biscuits: These form the crunchy, buttery crust that holds the cheesecake together. You can substitute with graham crackers or any biscuit you like.
Butter: To help bind the biscuit crust and give it that extra richness.
Crunchie Bars: The star of the show! These honeycomb toffee-filled chocolate bars add a delightful crunch and a burst of sweetness. They are chopped up and added into the cheesecake filling and used as a topping.
Dark Chocolate: A rich chocolate ganache tops the cheesecake for a velvety finish and extra chocolatey flavor.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Now let’s walk through the steps to make this dream cheesecake:
1. Prepare the Crust: Crush your digestive biscuits into fine crumbs using a food processor or a rolling pin. Melt the butter and mix it with the crumbs until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust. Chill in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
2. Make the Filling: In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined. Add in the chopped Crunchie bars and mix to distribute the crunch throughout.
3. Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling onto the chilled biscuit crust. Use a spatula to smooth the top, and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow it to set.
4. Prepare the Ganache: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave in short bursts. Once melted and smooth, pour the ganache over the set cheesecake, spreading it evenly over the top.
5. Garnish with More Crunchie: For that extra crunch, sprinkle more chopped Crunchie bars on top of the ganache.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Slice into your gorgeous cheesecake, and enjoy the smooth, rich flavors with a satisfying crunch in every bite!
How to Serve Chocolate Crunchie Cheesecake
This cheesecake is perfect all on its own, but here are some fun serving ideas:
Fresh Berries: Top your cheesecake with a handful of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to add a tart contrast to the richness.
Chocolate Shavings: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish the cheesecake with chocolate shavings or curls.
Coffee: Pair this dessert with a hot cup of coffee or espresso to balance the sweetness.
Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream will take your cheesecake indulgence to the next level.
Additional Tips
- Prep Ahead: Make the cheesecake a day ahead for best results. It needs plenty of time to chill and set, so the longer you can wait, the better it will be.
- Crust Variations: Feel free to try different cookies for the crust. Digestive biscuits give a nice balance, but graham crackers or even chocolate cookies can add a fun twist.
- Storage Tips: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop and it’ll taste just as delicious the next day.
- Double the Batch: If you’re feeding a crowd or want to make a larger cheesecake, double the ingredients and make it in a 9-inch pan.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a different candy bar instead of Crunchie?
A1: Absolutely! You can swap Crunchie bars for your favorite candy, like Mars bars, Twix, or even Kit Kat for a fun twist. The key is the combination of chocolate and crunchy texture.
Q2: Can I make this cheesecake without whipping the cream?
A2: Whipping the cream helps give the cheesecake its light, airy texture. Skipping this step may result in a denser filling.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It keeps its flavor and texture well!
Q4: Can I freeze this cheesecake?
A4: Yes! You can freeze this cheesecake for up to 2 months. Just wrap it tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Q5: What’s the best way to serve this cheesecake?
A5: Serve chilled straight from the fridge. You can top it with extra Crunchie bars, whipped cream, or fresh berries for extra flavor!
Q6: Can I make this cheesecake without a springform pan?
A6: You can use a regular round cake pan, but a springform pan makes it much easier to remove the cheesecake without ruining its shape.
Q7: Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the ganache?
A7: Yes! Milk chocolate will make the ganache sweeter and creamier, but dark chocolate gives a rich, slightly bitter contrast that pairs beautifully with the honeycomb.
Q8: How do I make the cheesecake extra smooth?
A8: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing, and be gentle when folding in the whipped cream. This will help maintain a smooth, silky texture.
Q9: Can I make this dessert in mini versions?
A9: Yes! You can make individual cheesecakes in small tart pans or muffin tins for a fun twist.
Q10: Can I add more Crunchie bars to the filling?
A10: Of course! If you love that honeycomb crunch, feel free to add more to the filling or the topping. The more, the merrier!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a dessert that will impress and satisfy, Chocolate Crunchie Cheesecake is your answer. With its creamy filling, crunchy surprises, and rich chocolate topping, it’s a dessert that’s sure to steal the show at any occasion. So grab your ingredients, get ready for some serious indulgence, and enjoy every sweet, crunchy bite!
PrintChocolate Crunchie Cheesecake
This indulgent chocolate crunchie cheesecake features a crunchy base, a creamy filling with crushed Crunchie bars, and a rich chocolate topping. Perfect for dessert lovers!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: Overnight (minimum 6 hours)
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 320g chocolate digestive biscuits
- 110g butter, melted
For the Filling:
- 700g full-fat cream cheese
- 100g icing sugar
- 300ml double cream
- Dash of vanilla essence
- 2 Crunchie Bars, crushed
For the Topping:
- 200g dark chocolate
- 100ml cream
- 2 Crunchie Bars, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Base:
- Line the base of a 20cm loose-bottom cake tin with parchment paper.
- Blitz the chocolate digestive biscuits and mix with the melted butter. Press this mixture down into the base of the tin.
- Chill for 20 minutes to set.
- Make the Filling:
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whisk the cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla essence for a few seconds until combined.
- Gradually add the double cream while mixing slowly. Continue to whisk until the mixture becomes thick, about a minute (don’t overmix to avoid splitting).
- Fold in the crushed Crunchie bars.
- Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Spoon the cheesecake filling onto the chilled biscuit base and spread evenly.
- Place the cheesecake in the fridge overnight to firm up.
- Prepare the Topping:
- The next day, run a small knife around the edge of the cheesecake to help release it from the tin.
- To make the chocolate topping, melt the dark chocolate and cream in the microwave. Let it cool until it’s spreadable at room temperature.
- Spread the chocolate topping over the cheesecake and sprinkle with the remaining chopped Crunchie bars.
- Serve:
- Chill for an additional hour if needed to set the topping. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to whisk the filling until thick, but avoid overmixing to prevent splitting.
- For the best results, chill the cheesecake overnight for a firm and creamy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of the cheesecake)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg