Directions
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Make the Chocolate Cheesecake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Add the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and melted Hershey’s chocolate, mixing until creamy and well combined. Pour the cheesecake batter into a lined 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and not wobbly. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely, then chill it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight for the best results.
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Make the Chocolate Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until they are mixed thoroughly. Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until smooth. Slowly stir in the boiling water, which will thin out the batter tremendously. Pour the chocolate cake batter evenly into two greased 9-inch round cake pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
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Assemble the Cake: Once the chocolate cakes are completely cool, it’s time to assemble. Start by placing one layer of chocolate cake on a serving plate. Carefully add the chilled chocolate cheesecake layer on top of the first cake layer. Then, place the second chocolate cake layer over the cheesecake to create a stunning cake tower.
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Make the Ganache: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it is steaming but not boiling. Remove it from the heat and pour it over the chocolate chips and butter in a mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 2 minutes without stirring. Afterward, whisk the mixture until it becomes smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring it generously over the top of the assembled cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
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Chill & Serve: To create the best texture and flavors, refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before slicing. This also helps the ganache to set. If desired, garnish with chocolate curls, pieces of Hershey’s bars, or a dollop of whipped cream to add an extra touch of elegance.
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