This time every year, the Captain takes over the galley and makes my birthday treat. Chocolate Almond Cheesecake. The mouth-watering tang of cream cheese with the decadent flow of chocolate all infused with almond and vanilla flavor.
The base of this recipe is from Hershey’s Chocolate Lover’s Cookbook I’ve been using for almost 25 years. I don’t even think it’s in print any longer but I’m sure the new cookbooks are just as fabulous. Did I just say 25 years? Surely I started using this when I was 10, right? Anyway, they have a great website as well for all you chocoholics. It’s worth the visit here .
Chocolate Almond Cheesecake
Hershey’s Chocolate Lover’s Cookbook, pg. 34
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa (the special dark cocoa works well, too)
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Almond Crumb Crust
Almond Whipped Cream
Sliced almonds (optional)
Almond Crumb Crust
3/4 cups (about 20 wafers) vanilla wafer crumbs (chef’s note: use 28)
1/2 cup ground blanched almonds
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted (chef’s note: use 4-5 tablespoons, I think he’s been watching Paula Deen too much, but the taste is fabulous.)
Almond Whipped Cream (I’d recommend doubling this, you’ll be glad you did.)
1/2 cup cold whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Heat oven to 425°. In large mixer bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, cocoa, sour cream and flour; beat on medium speed of electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and almond and vanilla extracts; beat well. Pour into prepared Almond Crumb Crust.
Bake 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250°; continue baking 55 minutes or until center appears set. Remove from oven to wire rack.
With knife, loosen cake from side of pan. Cool completely; remove side of pan. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Garnish with Almond Whipped Cream and sliced almonds, if desired. Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesecake. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Almond Crumb Crust: Heat oven to 350°. In small bowl, stir together vanilla wafer crumbs, almonds and sugar; stir in butter, mixing well. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2 inch up side of 9-inch spring form pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes; cool slightly.
Almond Whipped Cream: In small mixer bowl, combine cold whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla and almond extracts; beat until stiff. About 1 cup cream.
5* Family Favorite
This year I spent my birthday at sea, so the cheesecake was stored in the oven as a treat for when we made landfall. Our stove is gimballed and swings level despite what’s happening with the boat. Let me tell you, aging this particular cheesecake is well worth the wait for a once a year indulgence. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite birthday treat? Do you make it yourself or have someone special make it for you?
If you want more Chocolate check out Steena Holmes and her blog: In the end all things succumb to chocolate.
This….sounds…ahhhmazing!
Now, I may be kitchen challenged but for some strange reason I seem to be able to master cheesecakes so I am definitely adding this one to my list to try! O.M.G!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nancy!!!!!! Wishing you an incredible year ahead with health, family, love and much laughter!! xoxoxox
Thanks again, with you on my side, I’m sure the laughter and love will not end! I enjoy having you aboard Fawkes.
Ohhhh Yummy. You sure know how to get my attention! Cheesecake. For one son I make a choc. chip cheesecake for the other a cream cheese and cherry no bake cheese cake. Both favorites. For my Birthday . Anything CHOCOLATE. Usually make it my self. Like a double choc cake with chocolate frosting. What a treat it would be to have someone else surprise me with sweets.
Happy Belated Birthday (Your card should have been in your box on time, for whenever you pick it all up.) 🙂 Hugs…
Carol, maybe I’ll put the recipe up for my son’s chocolate, chocolate chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake. If that doesn’t send you into a diabetic coma, I don’t know what will. I think I finally perfected the chocolate layers my son always wanted. And, thanks for the card, I’ve studied the flower until I think I know how you did it. 😉
Mmmm that sounds like a WONDERFUL recipe. Tell son that I like his taste in desserts 😉
You bettcha!
Happy Birthday Nancy! And wowsers to your hubby for cheesecake! I’m impressed. My favorite birthday treat is pizza. =) Casual, I know, but I love it!
Thanks Carrie. Yeah, something simple like pizza is good as well. Do you have to make it yourself?
This sounds awesome! My husband makes Egg White Icing for me every year. It’s my favorite, but it’s hard to make. The cake usually comes out of a box, but when it is covered whith Home Made FLUFF who the heck cares! After he frosts the cake, he always leaves some in the bowl for me to just eat. One birthday morning, that is what I got for breakfast… a bowl of egg white frosting!!!! Yummm!
Hey, it’s made of eggs, so that’s okay, right?
LOL! That brings back memories for me. As a child my favorite was Angel Food cake, out of a box and yeah, the egg white fluff. Yum! I’m with you on the eggs. 😉
Happy Birthday Nancy and a kudos to your husband, the cheesecake maker. Awesome! Are you wearing your thermal undies on the water these days? Time to head south … ?
Never did break out the thermals this year, yeah, but when the weather at night turned 34 degrees F. We headed south and finally got to a warm spot.
Hi Nancy! Oooh, anything chocolate goes right in my recipe box! Awesome hubby you have there! How many women get a cheesecake made by a husband’s loving hands?
My favorite birthday meal is beef stew, followed by anything chocolate.
Happy birthday!
Thanks Marcia and welcome aboard Fawkes. I have a pretty special husband. Yeah, chocolate pretty much goes with everything.
Hey Nancy,
So, as always, when I called, I had meant to wish you a Happy Birthday. Got off the phone and at some point and time I realized I hadn’t said the words. The birthday treat does look yummy. I do hope that you had a good day and know that I think of you often. It has been wonderful to reconnect through the years.
LOL! That never happens to me. Thanks for the birthday wished. I look forward to keeping our friendship growing.