Chocolate-Orange Swirl Cheesecake

By Anne545

Ingredients

• CRUST:
• 2 c. chocolate cookie crumbs
• 1/4 c. white sugar
• 1/3 c. butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. white sugar
• 5 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate
• 1-2 tsp. orange extract
• 1 tsp. grated orange zest
• 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur (optional)
• GLAZE:
• 2 oz. semisweet chocolate
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a medium bowl, mix together crumbs, sugar & butter until well blended. Press into bottom and 1&1/2" up sides of 9" springform pan. Chill.

2. Preheat oven to 325 deg.F (165 deg.C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring occasionally until smooth. Set aside to cool, but do not allow to harden.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese & sugar until smooth. Mix in eggs, one at a time on low speed, or by hand. Gradually stir in orange juice concentrate, extract, zest and liqueur. Reserve 2 cups batter. Pour 1/2 of remaining batter over crust. Stir melted chocolate into reserved batter. Drop 1/2 of chocolate batter by large spoonfuls onto white batter. Repeat with remaining white, then chocolate batter. Use a knife to cut through batter & leave a swirling design.

4. Bake for 60 min., or until center is almost set. Turn oven off & leave in for 45-60 min. Run a spatula or thin knife around edge of pan while still warm, so cake will not crack. Allow cake to cool completely before removing sides of pan.

5. Melt chocolate & butter in bowl over hot water. Add orange liqueur & stir until smooth. Pour over top of cooled cheesecake & spread to edges. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.