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This Kahlua Coffee Brownie Cheesecake is made with a dense brownie on the bottom, kahlua and coffee cheesecake in the middle, and a layer of homemade chocolate ganache and kahlua whipped cream on top. I am so in love with the flavors!
Homemade Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Recipe
Looking for a more traditional cheesecake? Try this awesome Classic Cheesecake Recipe or this easy Perfect No Bake Cheesecake Recipe.
This cheesecake has been a long time coming. I have been wanting to make it forever. You could say it’s a copycat of the Kahlua Cocoa Coffee Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. That was certainly the inspiration. But given my issues finding a springform pan that doesn’t leak, I was delayed in finding a springform pan I could bake a brownie in. I finally found one at Target a few weeks ago and this was the first thing I made.
There were many versions of this cheesecake before I had it just the way I wanted it. First, the brownie. To bake first, or not to bake first? I tried it both ways. The bottom line is the brownie ends up super fudgy either way, but pre-baking is preferred. The brownie is better for slicing and serving if pre-baked. It really is fudgy, so the extra baking time is good.
How to Make The Best Cheesecake
While the brownie bakes, put together the cheesecake filling. It’s a fairly straightforward filling. For the coffee and Kahlua flavoring, I used some instant coffee granules and Kahlua to get a good strong coffee flavor without having to add a ton of liquid. Works like a charm! I played around with more or less of both the coffee and the Kahlua and I love the final version. Just enough of both!
When the brownie is done baking, add the cheesecake filling on top and prepare the pan for a water bath. The pan will be warm from the oven, so do be careful. I am often asked if the water bath is necessary and in my opinion the answer is yes. Will the cheesecake bake without it? Sure. But you’ll want to bake it for less time and expect it to be a little drier, to crack and to sink in the middle when it cools. If you want it to look like mine, the water bath is necessary. 🙂
Easy Chocolate Ganache Recipe
After the cheesecake is baked and cooled, it’s time for the topping! First up is the chocolate ganache. I added some Kahlua to it to add to the Kahlua flavor and it’s wonderful. Spread it on top and let it cool for a few minutes while you make the whipped cream.
Easy Homemade Whipped Cream
The whipped cream also has Kahlua in it because more Kahlua is more better. 🙂 The powdered sugar in the whipped cream is the stabilizer so that it holds up well, so don’t be tempted to reduce the amount. Pipe the whipped cream on top, sprinkle on a little cocoa powder if you’d like and you’re ready to dig in!
I was so in love with this cheesecake! Smooth, creamy and just the right flavor! So totally dangerous to have in the house, but so worth it too! 🙂
Watch How To Make It
You might also like:
Kahlua Chocolate Poke Cake
Kahlua Ice Cream Pie
Kahlua Coffee Chocolate Layer Cake
Kahlua Chocolate Cupcakes
Mocha Brownie Ice Cream Cake
Tiramisu Cheesecake
Kahlua Coffee Brownie Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Kahlua Coffee Brownie Cheesecake is made with a dense brownie on the bottom, kahlua and coffee cheesecake in the middle, and a layer of homemade chocolate ganache and kahlua whipped cream on top. I am so in love with the flavors!
Ingredients
BROWNIE BOTTOM
- 10 tbsp (140g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup (98g) all purpose flour
- 6 tbsp (43g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
KAHLUA COFFEE CHEESECAKE
- 24 ounces (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3 tbsp (24g) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (230g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Kahlua, warm
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 8 oz (227g) semi sweet chocolate chips
- 5 tbsp (75ml) Kahlua
- 5 tbsp (75ml) heavy whipping cream
KAHLUA WHIPPED CREAM
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp (30ml) Kahlua
- 6 tbsp (43g) powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides.
2. Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a medium sized bowl.
3. Add the eggs and mix until well combined.
4. In another medium sized bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until well combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
TO MAKE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:
1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and flour on low speed until well completely combined and smooth. Be sure to use low speed to reduce the amount of air added to the batter, which can cause cracks. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. Add the sour cream and mix on low speed until well combined.
3. In a small bowl, combine the Kahlua and coffee granules and stir until the granules are dissolved.
4. Add Kahlua mixture and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and mix on low speed until well combined.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly to combine after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
6. When the brownie is done baking, reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C). Remove the brownie from the oven and pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the brownie.
7. Wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil, then place the springform pan inside another larger pan. (See my tutorial for preventing springform pans from leaking.) Fill the outside pan with enough warm water to go about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. The water should not go above the top edge of the aluminum foil on the springform pan.
8. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. The center should be set, but still jiggly.
9. Turn off the oven and leave the door closed for 30 minutes. The cheesecake will continue to cook, but slowly begin to cool as well.
10. Crack the door of the oven for 30 minutes to allow the cheesecake to continue to cool slowly. This process helps prevent cracking.
11. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and water bath wrapping and refrigerate until firm, 5-6 hours or overnight. Once completely cool and firm, remove from the springform pan.
TO FINISH OFF THE CHEESECAKE:
1. To make the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a small heat proof bowl.
2. Combine the heavy whipping cream and Kahlua in a glass measuring cup heat just until it begins to boil.
3. Pour the hot liquid over the chocolate chips and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the chocolate ganache onto the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly.
5. To make the whipped cream, add the heavy whipping cream, Kahlua and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
6. Pipe the whipped cream onto the top of the cheesecake. I used Ateco tip 844.
7. Sprinkle the top of the cheesecake with cocoa powder, if desired.
8. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cheesecake is best for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 555
- Sugar: 48.9 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 29.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 61.5 g
- Protein: 10.2 g
- Cholesterol: 135.9 mg
Categories
Enjoy!
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