Yields Makes 12 servings
Notes: This cake tastes unbelievably rich, creamy, and fudgy. Garnish with mint leaves and orange slices.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Combine crumbs and melted butter. Pat evenly over bottom and about 1/2 inch up side of a removable-rim 9-inch cheesecake or cake pan (at least 1 3/4 in. deep).

Step 2
2

Bake in a 350° oven until crust is slightly toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, whirl cottage cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and egg whites until very smooth.

Step 4
4

In a large bowl, mix sugar and cocoa. Add cheese mixture, liqueur, and orange peel.

Step 5
5

Heat chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave oven at full power in 5-second intervals until soft. Stir until smooth, then scrape into cheese mixture. Beat with a mixer until smoothly blended. Pour into hot or cool crust.

Step 6
6

Bake in a 350° oven until center barely jiggles when cake is gently shaken, 40 to 45 minutes. Run a thin-bladed knife between cake and pan rim. Refrigerate cake, uncovered, until cool, at least 2 1/2 hours. Serve, or if making ahead, wrap airtight when cool and chill up to 2 days.

Step 7
7

Remove pan rim and cut cake into wedges.

Ingredients

 2/3 cup (about 3 oz.) reduced-fat chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
 1 carton (1 lb.; about 1 3/4 cups) small-curd low-fat cottage cheese
 1 package (8 oz.) nonfat cream cheese
 2 large eggs
 2 large egg whites
 1 cup sugar
 3/4 cup alkaline-treated cocoa
 1/4 cup orange-flavor liqueur or orange juice
 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
 1/3 cup chopped semisweet chocolate

Directions

Step 1
1

Combine crumbs and melted butter. Pat evenly over bottom and about 1/2 inch up side of a removable-rim 9-inch cheesecake or cake pan (at least 1 3/4 in. deep).

Step 2
2

Bake in a 350° oven until crust is slightly toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, whirl cottage cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and egg whites until very smooth.

Step 4
4

In a large bowl, mix sugar and cocoa. Add cheese mixture, liqueur, and orange peel.

Step 5
5

Heat chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in a microwave oven at full power in 5-second intervals until soft. Stir until smooth, then scrape into cheese mixture. Beat with a mixer until smoothly blended. Pour into hot or cool crust.

Step 6
6

Bake in a 350° oven until center barely jiggles when cake is gently shaken, 40 to 45 minutes. Run a thin-bladed knife between cake and pan rim. Refrigerate cake, uncovered, until cool, at least 2 1/2 hours. Serve, or if making ahead, wrap airtight when cool and chill up to 2 days.

Step 7
7

Remove pan rim and cut cake into wedges.

Chocolate-Orange Cheesecake

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