Dark Chocolate and Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Preheat oven to 325F.

Toast the pecan pieces on a baking sheet in pre-heated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove form the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Lower oven temperature to 300 F. In a food processor fitted with metal blade, chop the cookies and the pecans until they are crumbs (yield about 2 cups of crumbs), about 20 to 30 seconds. Set aside.

Coat the bottom of a 9"x3" springform pan with 1 tsp. melted butter. Use hands to press 1 cup of crumbs to a uniform level and thickness on the butter bottom of pan. Set aside.

To prepare the chocolate cheesecake, heat 1 inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium-high heat. Place the semisweet chocolate and coffee in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap and allow to heat for 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Place 3/4 pound softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on low for 1 minute and on medium for 2 minutes. Scrape down bowl. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating on high for 20 seconds and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Then beat mixture for 1 minute more on high. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and beat on medium for 15 seconds. Add the melted chocolate mixture and beat on medium for 30 seconds. Remove bowl from the mixer.

Use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the batter until it is smooth and thoroughly combined.

Pour cheesecake mixture into the prepared springform pan, spreading evenly. Keep at room temperature while preparing pumpkin cheesecake batter.

To prepare pumpkin cheesecake, coat the inside of a 9"x1 1/2" cake pan with 1 tsp. butter.

Line the pan with an 8-inch square of parchment paper. Coat the parchment paper with the remaining teaspoon of butter. Set aside until needed.

Place 1 pound of softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, the flour, and 1/2 tsp. salt in the bowl of electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on low for 1 minute and on medium for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat on medium for 2 more minutes and on high for 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating on high for 20 seconds and scraping down bowl after each addition.

Add 1 tsp. vanilla and beat on medium for 15 seconds, then beat on high for 2 more minutes.

Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, then beat on medium for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl from the mixer.

Use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the batter until it is smooth and thoroughly combined.

Pour the pumpkin cheesecake mixture into the prepared cake pan, spreading evenly.

Place a 9"x1 1/2" cake pan partially filled with 4 cups of hot water on the bottom rack of the 300 F oven (the bottom rack should be at least 3 inches below the center rack). Place both cheesecakes on the center rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the internal temperature of the cheesecake fillings reaches 170 degrees F. Turn off the oven and allow the cheesecakes to remain in the oven for an additional 20 minutes. Remove form the oven and cool at room temperature for 20 minutes. Refrigerate the chocolate cheesecake for 1 hour, but keep pumpkin cheesecake at room temperature (do not remove either cake from pan.

To prepare the ganache, heat the heavy cream, butter, and sugar in a 2 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, stir to dissolve sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Pour 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate ganache over the top of the chilled chocolate cheesecake. Spread evenly over the top of the cake. Invert the pumpkin cheesecake onto the layer of ganache. Gently press down on the cake to set in place. Wrap the entire springform pan with film wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.

The cheesecake can now be released from the springform. Remove film wrap and wrap a damp, hot towel around the sides of the pan (the towel should be large enough to completely wrap around and cove the sides of the pan) and hold around the pan form 1 minute. Carefully release and remove the springform pan. Using a cake spatula, smooth the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 Tbsps. of the ganache. Spread the remaining ganache evenly across the top of the cake. press remaining cookie/pecan crumbs into the sides of the cake, coating evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Heat the blade of the serrated slicer under hot water before cutting and run it under hot water after making each slice.