RECIPE: Surprise Your Sweetheart With These Ghirardelli Chocolate Raspberry Hearts

One of my favorite things to do every time I visit Disney Springs is to drop by Ghirardelli and treat myself to one of their awesome sweet treats! If you love this chocolate co. as much as I do then you can pass on that love to your special someone this Valentine’s Day with a heartfelt recipe that captures that delicious Ghirardelli taste.

Disney’s Official Fan Club D23 is sharing a Ghirardelli Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Hearts recipe that is sure to delight. Here’s what you’ll need to make 9 of these beauties: 

Ingredients

For Cheesecake:

• 2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
• 4 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 4 eggs (for cheesecake)
• 1/2 cup raspberry puree (recipe below)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (for cheesecake)

For Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 crackers)
• 1/4 cup ground almonds
• 4 tablespoon white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, melted

For Puree:

• 1 (10 – 12 oz) pkg. frozen raspberries
• 4 tablespoons white sugar

For Chocolate Ganache (Optional):

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup(s) heavy cream

For Garnish (Optional):

• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 8 ounce Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips
• 8 ounce Ghirardelli White Chocolate Baking Bar

Preparation

• Preheat over to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

To Prepare Crust: 

• To prepare crust, in a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter.
• Add the chocolate graham crackers, ground almonds, and sugar and mix until combined.
• Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.

To Prepare Puree: 

• Combine raspberries and sugar in a saucepan.
• Bring to boil, and continue boiling 3-5 minutes, or until sauce is thick.
• Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and set aside.

To Prepare Cheesecake: 

• To prepare cheesecake, in a small pot over low heat, bring the whipping cream to just boiling.
• Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips.
• Set aside for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth.
• In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Remove approximately 1 & 1/2 cup; cup of this batter and place into a smaller bowl and add 1/2 cup raspberry puree. Blend until combined.
• Add the melted chocolate to the remaining batter and mix until combined.

To Assemble Your Tarts: 

• Pour the chocolate cheesecake batter into the pan.
• Very carefully layer the raspberry cheesecake mixture on top of the chocolate mixture.
• Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until filling is set.
• Cool in pan, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold before removing from pan. 

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Toppings and More For Your Cheesecake

If desired, top cooled cheesecakes with one or a combination of the garnishes below.

Chocolate Ganache: 

•  In a small pot over low heat, bring the heavy cream and butter to just boiling.
• Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips.
• Set aside for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth.
• Pour over cold cheesecake to form ganache layer, or drizzle over the cold cheesecake.
• Refrigerate until it is set.

Raspberry Puree: 

• Pour remaining raspberry puree over cold cheesecakes.

White Chocolate: 

• In double boiler over hot water, melt the white chocolate until smooth.
• Drizzle over cold cheesecakes.
• Refrigerate until it is set.

Fresh Raspberries:

• Top on cold cheesecake or serve on the side. 

For Heart Shapes: 

• To make the individual heart shape cheesecakes, prepare the recipe as directed using a 13X9 inch pan instead of a springform pan.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes.
• After the cheesecake cools, cut out the hearts using a metal heart shaped cookie cutter.

Those still craving sweet Ghirardelli treats should also be sure to stop by their location at Disney Springs where you can get chocolate, ice cream, coffees and more! 

Readers are also encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Walt Disney World news and updates!

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