Chocolate and Coconut Cheesecake

The chocolate and coconut cheesecake is a delicious dessert that combines the creaminess of traditional cheesecake with the exotic flavors of coconut and the richness of chocolate. I would suggest an Italian twist, perhaps using good mascarpone to make the cream even more velvety and cantucci biscuits instead of the classic digestive for the base. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

For the base:

• 200 g of cantucci biscuits
• 100 g of melted butter

For the filling:

• 500 g of mascarpone
• 200 ml of whipping cream
• 150 g of powdered sugar
• 100 g of shredded coconut
• 100 g of dark chocolate

For the chocolate ganache:

• 100 g of dark chocolate
• 100 ml of whipping cream

Preparation

1. Start by chopping the cantucci biscuits until finely crumbled. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter to get a homogeneous mixture.
2. Line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper and press the biscuit mixture onto the bottom, creating a uniform and compact layer. Refrigerate to harden the base while you prepare the filling.
3. Melt the 100 g of dark chocolate dedicated to the filling in a double boiler or microwave, then allow to cool.
4. In a bowl, whisk the mascarpone with the powdered sugar until smooth.
5. Gently fold in the shredded coconut and the melted dark chocolate.
6. In another bowl, whip the cream until it is firm. Gradually fold it into the mascarpone cream, moving the spatula from top to bottom to not deflate the mixture.
7. Pour the filling over the biscuit base, smooth with a spatula, and let rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or better, overnight.
8. For the ganache, melt the remaining chocolate with the cream in a double boiler or microwave and stir until smooth and glossy. Let it cool slightly.
9. Pour the chocolate ganache over the surface of the chilled cheesecake and return to the fridge until the ganache has slightly thickened.

Curiosity

The cheesecake is a dessert with ancient origins and has spread in many culinary cultures with local variations. The chocolate and coconut version is a modern reinterpretation that plays on the contrasts between the intense flavor of the chocolate and the exotic sweetness of the coconut. Moreover, the use of mascarpone is a well-established choice in Italian pastry, which brings creaminess and a slight acidity that balances the sweetness of the dessert.