The Best Red Velvet Cheesecake (video)

Calling all chocolate cheesecake lovers – this is one for the books! This swirled red velvet cheesecake with a rich, brownie base, whipped cream topping and chocolate strawberries is delicious to the last bite! It’s velvety, creamy, rich and chocolate-y and packed with incredible flavor. The whipped cream and strawberries on top don’t hurt either! It’s the ultimate red velvet cheesecake recipe!

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Using the Water Bath Method

For baking the cheesecake, I use a water bath to keep the top level and to prevent cracking. Just make sure to double wrap the bottom of your springform pan with foil to prevent any water from getting into your cake. After baking, I let the cheesecake set in the refrigerator overnight, then add some simple whipped cream and chocolate covered strawberries to the top!

Common Recipe Questions

Can I use chocolate graham crackers instead of the brownie base?

Yes, this cheesecake will be amazing with a graham cracker base, too! Pulse 10 chocolate graham crackers with 1/3 cup melted butter. Press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the spring form pan.

Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?

Yes, I recommend making the cheesecake at least one day ahead of time. Add the chocolate covered strawberries and whipped cream when ready to serve.

Adding Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This red velvet brownie cheesecake is perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year for a special occasion! I love adding the chocolate covered strawberries – it really elevates this cheesecake to a whole new level! You can learn how to make chocolate covered strawberries with my step-by-step tutorial! Just bear with me, it’s one of the first video I ever posted! https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/recipe-items/chocolate-strawberries-video-tutorial/

More Recipes!

Enjoyed this recipe for delicious cheesecake? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• No-Bake Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake – almost too pretty to eat! Vanilla cheesecake with Oreo cookie crust and swirls of raspberry sauce.
• Classic Red Velvet Cake – made with chocolate cake layers and cream cheese frosting!
• Red Velvet Crepe Cake – stunning crepe cake made with chocolate crepes and whipped cream frosting!
• Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake – the ultimate red velvet and berry cheesecake, with strawberry whipped cream on top!
• Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake – incredible, rich chocolate cheesecake topping with cherry pie filling and loads of whipped cream!

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Supplies/Tools

Need some supplies for this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):

• This aluminum spring form pan is perfect for cheesecakes!
• Use this decorating cake tip to add the whipped cream on top! Love this tip for decorating cakes!
• I love using these Ghirardelli chocolate melts for the chocolate strawberries!

Print

The Best Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe (video)

1 hr 30 mins prep + 1 hr 40 mins cook

12 servings

Rich and decadent red velvet cheesecake with a brownie base, whipped cream and chocolate covered strawberries!

Ingredients 

US Customary – Metric

For Brownie Base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt

For Red Velvet Cheesecake:

• 24 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• red food coloring

For Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 2/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Chocolate Covered Strawberries:

• 8 large strawberries
• 1/2 cup chocolate melts

Instructions

Making the Brownie Base:

• Preheat the oven to 350F/177C. Line the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper and spray the sides with a baking spray. Prepare the brownie base first. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar and vanilla for a few minutes until smooth. Add the eggs and mix again for a few minutes until well incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and mix again.
• In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the batter, then mix for about a minute, until all the ingredients are well combined. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly to the edges using an offset spatula. Bake the brownie base in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Red Velvet Cheesecake:

• Meanwhile, prepare the cheesecake batter. Place the softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla into a large mixing bowl and beat on medium-high speed for 5 to 7 minutes, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl often, until the cream cheese is smooth and fluffy. Next, add the heavy cream and eggs. Mix again for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides midway. Reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the plain batter in a separate bowl.
• Into the remaining batter, add the cocoa powder and begin adding the red food coloring (I use concentrated gel color). You can add as much or as little as you would like. Mix the cocoa and food coloring into the batter, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl to get all the batter incorporated.
• Once the brownie base is done baking, remove it from the oven and wrap the bottom with a few layers of aluminum foil. Pour the cheesecake batter over the brownie and level off the top using an offset spatula. To create the swirled design, add dollops of the reserved batter on top, then use a knife to swirl the plain batter into the colored batter.

Baking the Cheesecake:

• Prepare the water bath: transfer the springform pan into a large roasting pan or another deep baking pan. Fill the pan with approximately 1 inch of water. Reduce the oven temperature down to 320F/160C. Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 10-20 minutes; the center should be just slightly wobbly. Turn the oven off, crack open the oven door a bit and let the cheesecake sit for about an hour. Then, transfer the cake into the refrigerator and chill overnight.

Serving the Cake:

• For the whipped cream, simply combine the chilled cream, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream into a piping bag tipped with a star tip; I used tip #8FT. Add dollops of whipped cream on top of the cake and on the side of each slice.
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Nutrition

Calories: 620kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 1546IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 2mg