Reviewed: Sep. 19, 2012

In my book, this cheesecake gets a 5 for taste but also a 5 for difficulty. The cheesecake is awesome -- especially when topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Carmelizing the sugar though has been a real challenge. It seems to dry out and become flaky sugar before browning. After trying several times, I finally cooked it in a non-stick pan with a lid on it (to retain the moisture) for about 30 minutes. Then I poured it into a large stainless steel skillet and within a few minutes it was browned. I also had a problem with my pan leaking -- even though I wrapped it in foil. I discovered I needed the extra large foil so that it can be totally wrapped with one sheet rather than two. But, I dumped the cheesecake upside down, set it in the fridge uncovered for a day or so and the crust dried out nicely.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Rose

Reviewed: Feb. 9, 2009

I am going to be making this for the third time later this week for two birthdays at work (they both requested this recipe). Hopefully this time I will do it correctly, the first two times I screwed up and didn't have the right chocolate (the first time I had picked up unsweetened instead of bittersweet) the second time was a combination of unsweetened and bittersweet. This time I plan on making it as called for with all bittersweet so I know what it is truly supposed to taste like. It has been very good so far (with the unintentional changes) so I am sure it will only get better. I would not say it has a distinct caramel flavor, I was expecting more, but drizzling caramel over the top after you slice it has worked out well.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Kris J.

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Living In: Puyallup, Washington, USA

Reviewed: Oct. 24, 2008

Great recipe! I have made the crust with chocolate graham cracker crumbs and the cocoa, or just plain. I do prebake it for 8-10' at 350...Can bake the cheessecake at a lower temp also, just watch for it to be done. my pans do not leak, so the foil has been unnecessary. Cover with a chocolate ganache or fudge topping of your choice...and decorate.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
5 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

tjcpigpen

Reviewed: Dec. 3, 2007

If you follow this recipe to the 'T', it will come out perfect. It is my most requested dessert, as I have been making this recipe for over a year. It is a little on the "overly sweet" side, so I have reduced the sugar amount by half a cup each, too.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
7 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

J.Martin

Reviewed: Jan. 5, 2007

This was my first cheesecake, and it came out very well! The flavor was balanced and the cake creamy and smooth. A friend, who is a true gourmet chef, paid me the high compliment of hoarding the leftovers of my cake!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
7 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

KMCARSON

Reviewed: Dec. 12, 2006

This was by far the best cheesecake. I used oreos for crust instead and it was great.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

knbk'smom

Reviewed: Nov. 22, 2006

First time cheesecake baker! :) Found it really simple to follow and the best part everyone LOVED it.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

rlkllk

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Point Comfort, Texas, USA

Living In: Victoria, Texas, USA

Reviewed: Nov. 22, 2006

My daughter wanted this (Cheese) Cake for her birthday (she gets to pick any cake...its her birthday). Our family loved it. I thought the crust was a little thick and did not use all the mixture, but besides that it was fantastic.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Rick K.

Reviewed: Nov. 12, 2006

Very good; very very rich! I baked the crust for ten minutes and allowed it to cool before putting in the batter. Also, I didn't let the hot liquid chocolate/caramel cool at all before adding to the cream cheese and it worked fine. I used fat free sour cream and low fat cream cheese with no adverse results. Everyone looooved it.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
14 users found this review helpful