Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust
   Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool while preparing the filling.
2. Make the cheesecake batter
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until well incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour in the melted chocolate and beat until fully combined and no streaks remain.
3. Prepare the raspberry swirl
   In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of raspberries with raspberry preserves and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and mashing the berries, until the mixture becomes a smooth sauce, about 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, then let cool slightly.
4. Assemble and bake
   Pour half of the chocolate cheesecake batter over the prepared crust. Dot with half of the raspberry sauce and use a knife to create swirls. Add the remaining cheesecake batter and repeat the swirling process with the remaining raspberry sauce. Place the springform pan on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
5. Cool and chill
   Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour. This gradual cooling helps prevent cracks. Remove from oven, run a knife around the edges to loosen, and cool completely at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
6. Serve and garnish
   Before serving, remove the sides of the springform pan. If desired, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form and pipe decoratively around the edges. Top with the remaining fresh raspberries. Slice with a warm, clean knife for neat portions.